National
Lumbee beauty queen wins damage award from ex


A member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina won a court ruling on Thursday against an ex-boyfriend whose e-mail cost her a shot at the Miss America title.

Rebekah Revels said she was pleased with the jury's verdict against Tosh Welch, an Eastern Band Cherokee member who was found liable for interfering with her contracts with the Miss North Carolina and Miss America pageants. Welch sent an e-mail to pageant officials saying he had topless photos of the state crown winner.

The message ended Revels' chances at the national contest days before it was to air on television. She has since gone to work for her tribe.

The jury must now determine what damages Welch, who is a police officer for the Eastern band, must pay. According to the Associated Press, he makes $27,000 a year and receives a $6,000 annual per cap from the tribe's casino.

Get the Story:
Revels' former boyfriend found liable (The Fayetteville Observer 3/26)
Jury finds boyfriend liable for topless photo e-mail in Miss N.C. case (AP 3/26)
Jury considers penalty for ex-boyfriend who cost Miss N.C. her crown (AP 3/26)

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