Update: We received the following statement from Bernadette Holder of Quantum PR, on behalf of Porterfield:
Shaletta Porterfield relinquished the Miss Wisconsin USA crown, to avoid any possible embarrassment to the USA Pageant, Friday, May 13th. Miss Porterfield was charged in Dane County, Wisconsin, with three counts of misappropriating identity and has entered a "not guilty" plea. "I pray, and truly believe, that these allegations will be cleared up soon. In the meantime, I will continue to give back to the communities I love, in The greater Madison area, through various charities and community service efforts." “I would also like to take the time and thank all of the people who have supported and believed in me, during this challenging time in my life." Attorney Robert F. Nagel from Madison, WI will no longer be representing the former pageant contender.
Previously: Miss Wisconsin USA Shaletta Porterfield has given back her crown after being charged with three counts of identity theft, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes:
Porterfield, 26, apparently told police she had faked signatures of three business owners on contracts for advertising with a marketing company Porterfield was working for last summer, the Waunakee Tribune reported. When the businesses were asked to proof ads they hadn't agreed to buy, or paid for, they got suspicious and called police.
According to the Milwaukee newspaper, Porterfield was put under stress by the marketing company to hit commission numbers, but her lawyer Robert F. Nagel claims the scheme didn't bring in any money. The beauty queen has pleaded not guilty and will be in court come July. The Waunakee Tribune notes that she faces a $100,000 maximum fine or 6 years in prison, at most.
Porterfield would have competed for the Miss USA title in Las Vegas next month. First runner-up Jordan Marie Morkin will attend in her place.
Last year, Miss USA Rima Fakih found herself embroiled in scandal after taking home the title when photographs of her participating in the "Stripper 101" pole dancing contest were posted online by radio show "Mojo In The Morning." Read about that here.
WATCH a segment from WLUK news:
WATCH a recent interview with Porterfield: