Miss Mexico Fatima Bosch reacts as she is crowned Miss Universe 2025 by Miss Universe 2024 Victoria Kjaer Theilvig of of Denmark during the 74th annual event at Impact Challenger Hall in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday. Photo by Rungroj Yongrit/EPA
The co-owners of the Miss Universe Organization are facing charges: Rocha Cantu of Mexico on accusations that include drug and fuel trafficking, and Jakkaphong “Anne” Jakrajutatip of Thailand with failing to appear at a hearing involving fraud.
The pageant has been embroiled in other controversies this year, including Jakkaphong out as CEO, financial instability, accusations of rigged judging and resignations by two of them, and protests by several contestants.
Prosecutors confirmed to media in Mexico that Cantu was formally charged by federal authorities in Mexico on accusations that include drug trafficking, illicit fuel distribution, weapons smuggling and participation in organized criminal activity.
The Attorney General’s Office requested an arrest warrant, the Spanish version of Forbes reported.
His multinational criminal network allegedly was operating for years under the guise of legitimate business structures.
According to court documents, an operation involving the illegal purchase and transport of fuel from Guatemala into Mexico. Fuel was allegedly altered to disguise its origin and avoid regulatory detection. The modified fuel was then sold through front companies tied to Rocha Cantu.
Also, he was allegedly involved in obtaining firearms and funneling them toward criminal groups in several Mexican states.
Rocha’s company in early 2024 purchased 50% of Miss Universe shares from JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd., which is owned by Jakkaphong.
JKN acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC in 2022.
Donald Trump owned Miss America from 1996 to 2015 and sold it to WME/IMG.
Jakkaphong became the first transgender woman to own the Miss Universe Organization.
In 2023, Jakkaphong was charged and released on bail, but she failed to appear as required for a court hearing in the fraud case on Tuesday in Bangkok, the Independent reported.
She failed to notify the court about her absence and was determined to be a flight risk, the Bangkok South District Court said.
A hearing has been scheduled for Dec. 26.
On Monday, JKN denied reports that Jakkaphong had liquidated the company’s assets and fled the country
In 2023, Jakkaphong and her company were sued for allegedly defrauding Raweewat Maschamadol in selling him the company’s corporate bonds.
Raweewat said he lost $930,362 in the investment.
JKN defaulted on payments to investors beginning in 2023 and debt rehabilitation procedures with the Central Bankruptcy Court began in 2024.
The company says its debts are $93 million.
After Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission accused her of falsifying the company’s 2023 financial statements, Jakkaphong resigned from all company positions in June.
She is still the company’s largest shareholder.
Jakkaphong, who starred in reality shows in Thailand, was not at the 74th Miss Universe competition in Bangkok on Nov. 19.
Fatima Bosch Fernandez of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025. She earlier walked out from the pageant after being berated by a Thai pageant executive.
Shortly before the finals, Gabrielle Henry, who is Miss Jamaica, fell and ended up in intensive care at a hospital.
Two judges reportedly resigned with allegations of judging misconduct.
And Thai police investigated allegations that event publicity included illegal promotion of online casinos.
On Sunday, Brigitta Schaback, who represented Estonia, announced that she was stepping down from her title.
The next day, Olivia Yace, who was the pageant’s fourth runner-up as Miss African and Oceania, also resigned. She added that she was also removing herself from “any future affiliation with the Miss Universe Committee.”
Days before the pageant began on Nov. 2, Mario Bucaro of Gautemala succeeded Jakrajutatip, who resigned from the position on June 20.
