LIZZY ANJORIN BREAKS SILENCE AMID HER ALLEGED ARREST. (PHOTO)
A Thai court announced Wednesday that it has issued an arrest warrant for Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip, co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, in connection with a fraud case. Jakkaphong, who was charged with fraud and released on bail in 2023, failed to appear at a Bangkok court hearing on Tuesday. Because she did not inform the court of her absence, officials deemed her a flight risk. The hearing has been rescheduled for December 26.
The case involves Jakkaphong and her company, JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., which was sued for allegedly defrauding investor Raweewat Maschamadol in 2023 over the sale of corporate bonds. Raweewat claims the investment led to losses of 30 million baht (approximately $930,000). JKN has faced financial difficulties since 2023, defaulting on payments to investors and entering debt rehabilitation proceedings in 2024, citing debts totaling around 3 billion baht ($93 million).
JKN acquired the Miss Universe pageant rights from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022 and sold a 50% stake to Legacy Holding Group USA, owned by Mexican businessman Raúl Rocha Cantú, in 2023. Jakkaphong, a transgender woman, resigned from all company positions in June following accusations by Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission of falsifying JKN’s 2023 financial statements, though she remains the largest shareholder. Her current whereabouts are unknown, and she did not attend the 74th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok earlier this month.
This year’s Miss Universe event faced multiple controversies, including a public scolding of winner Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico, the withdrawal of two judges amid claims of possible rigging, and a police investigation into alleged illegal promotion of online casinos. JKN denied rumors that Jakkaphong had liquidated company assets and fled the country, and she has not publicly responded to the arrest warrant. Jakkaphong is a prominent celebrity in Thailand, known for reality show appearances and her outspoken advocacy as a transgender woman.
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