Miss N.J. Speaks About Alleged Extortion
Miss New Jersey says she feels sorry for the person she says is trying to blackmail her into giving up her crown.
Amy Polumbo appeared on NBC's "Today" on Monday for her first interview since revealing last week that someone had told Miss New Jersey and Miss America competition officials they would make public some photographs of Polumbo if she did not step down.
Who would do such a thing, host Matt Lauer asked. "I really don't know," said the 22-year-old college student. "Whoever did this is, I think they are a miserable person. I feel bad for them."
She would not rule out other contestants. "It could be anyone. It's disheartening to think it would be a contestant," she said.
Polumbo would not say exactly what was in the pictures, which she said were not sent to her but rather pageant officials. But she did say, again, that there was no nudity or pornography and no underage drinking.Photos: There She Is: Miss America
"I am not doing anything illegal" in the pictures, she said.
Her lawyer has previously said that it was fictitious captions that were added that were more troubling than the photos themselves, at least some of which came from Polumbo's former Facebook Web page.
Her lawyer, Anthony Caruso, said he hoped Miss America officials would decide this week that Polumbo will be allowed to compete in the Miss America competition, which has not yet been scheduled.
He also said the matter is being investigated by the state Attorney General's Office.