Lumbee Queen of Lawsuits

indianbubba1 · 03-18-2005, 02:35 PM

Rebekah Revels Sues Former Miss World Pageant Organizer

POSTED: 7:37 am EST March 15, 2005

LUMBERTON, N.C. -- A former Miss North Carolina who lost her crown over topless photos is suing a former Miss World organizer who she says hasn't paid her and didn't arrange public appearances for her.

According to documents filed last week by Revels' lawyer in Robeson County Superior Court, Miss World Holdings Inc. promised to arrange public appearances for Revels after the 2002 Miss World contest.

It also promised to pay her $15,000, regardless of whether the appearances took place. No public appearances were organized, and Revels was never paid, the lawsuit says.

Revels' lawsuit also says that the Miss World Holdings representative, Peter Klamka, promised but failed to develop a "significant public relations effort'' to promote her appointment to Miss World, give her a $3,000-clothing allowance for the competition and develop other commercial opportunities for her after the pageant.

Revels is seeking to recover the money she says is due her, plus lawyer fees and punitive damages.

Klamka could not be reached for comment Monday. Miss World is an international pageant organization based in London.

Revels' lawyer, Barry Nakell of Chapel Hill, said Revels has no dispute with the international pageant.

"Miss World's international organization treated her well,'' Nakell said. "But the folks who had the franchise here did not pay her anything.''

Miss World Holdings no longer has the franchise for the American arm of the Miss World pageant, said Bruce Vermeulen of Irving, Texas. He said he has the license, and his company has no involvement in Revels' dispute.

The suit is against Klamka, Miss World Holdings Inc., and Legend Mobile Inc., which Nakell said had been called PTN Media Inc.

Revels, a Lumbee Indian of the St. Pauls area, was Miss Fayetteville in 2002 and won the Miss North Carolina pageant that summer. About a month later, as she prepared to compete in the Miss America pageant, an ex-boyfriend said he had topless photos of her and threatened to publicize them.

Revels resigned under pressure from pageant officials, but then sued to be reinstated. One of those lawsuits is under appeal, and another is awaiting trial.

Revels won a suit against the boyfriend, Tosh Welch, last year.

For a short time during the Miss America pageant, Revels and runner-up Misty Clymer competed in the Miss America pageant. In the end, Revels had to step aside, and Clymer represented the state.

In September 2002, the Miss World pageant needed an American contestant. The law suit said that Klamka approached Revels and made a list of promises in the offer.

Other than providing Revels with round-trip airfare to London, where Nakell said the international pageant then took care of the contestants' expenses, the lawsuit alleges Klamka fulfilled none of his promises.

In November 2002, Revels competed in the pageant in Nigeria and, later, London. Violence in Nigeria forced the pageant to leave that country.

Revels works as a public information specialist for the Lumbee Tribe.

http://www.nbc17.com/news/4285326/detail.html

Badmutha · 03-18-2005, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by indianbubba1

Revels' lawyer, Barry Nakell of Chapel Hill, said Revels has no dispute with the international pageant.

This same attorney is representing a group claiming to be Tuscaroras who are challenging legitimacy of the 1956 Lumbee Act. I wonder how Rebekah feels about being represented by someone who is challenging the very springing board toward Lumbee federal recognition?

Coyot_In_The_House · 03-18-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badmutha

This same attorney is representing a group claiming to be Tuscaroras who are challenging legitimacy of the 1956 Lumbee Act. I wonder how Rebekah feels about being represented by someone who is challenging the very springing board toward Lumbee federal recognition?

Badmutha....Why do you always seem to have a proverbial bug up your azz....? Gado? What is your problem? I'm sure you'll have a clever reply....

Blackbear · 03-18-2005, 10:05 PM

He's got a point though. Those guys who call themselves tuscarora are'nt just trying to get themselves recognized but are stating in their claims that everyone in Robeson County is tuscarora, kinda like the lumbee act does to them. So since we know she's a proud lumbee, it makes you wonder how she feels about her lawyer doing this double dipping thing to prove she's tuscarora.

La + * Mom · 03-22-2005, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Badmutha

This same attorney is representing a group claiming to be Tuscaroras who are challenging legitimacy of the 1956 Lumbee Act. I wonder how Rebekah feels about being represented by someone who is challenging the very springing board toward Lumbee federal recognition?

Well, hmm, I think that would be a conflict of interest and ussually, most firms/lawyers that have a conflict aren't allowed to take conflicting cases....(?)

Badmutha · 03-22-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coyot_In_The_House

Badmutha....Why do you always seem to have a proverbial bug up your azz....? Gado? What is your problem? I'm sure you'll have a clever reply....

Try working on a rez for a while.

**AngelFeather** · 03-22-2005, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohontsia

Well, hmm, I think that would be a conflict of interest and ussually, most firms/lawyers that have a conflict aren't allowed to take conflicting cases....(?)

nope they arent ... not suppose to...but of course there are loop holes and a lawyer Always finds a loop hole!!

Blackbear · 03-22-2005, 10:07 PM

I think it would be considered a conflict of interest by bar standards if he was representing the lumbee tribe and their pursuit of recognition and then also representing these guys... but as it is, he's representing A Lumbee on a different matter... but still, if I were her, I'd drop his butt!

03-18-2005, 02:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
indianbubba1 Pow Wow Visitor Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1	Lumbee Queen of Lawsuits Rebekah Revels Sues Former Miss World Pageant Organizer POSTED: 7:37 am EST March 15, 2005 LUMBERTON, N.C. -- A former Miss North Carolina who lost her crown over topless photos is suing a former Miss World organizer who she says hasn't paid her and didn't arrange public appearances for her. According to documents filed last week by Revels' lawyer in Robeson County Superior Court, Miss World Holdings Inc. promised to arrange public appearances for Revels after the 2002 Miss World contest. It also promised to pay her $15,000, regardless of whether the appearances took place. No public appearances were organized, and Revels was never paid, the lawsuit says. Revels' lawsuit also says that the Miss World Holdings representative, Peter Klamka, promised but failed to develop a "significant public relations effort'' to promote her appointment to Miss World, give her a $3,000-clothing allowance for the competition and develop other commercial opportunities for her after the pageant. Revels is seeking to recover the money she says is due her, plus lawyer fees and punitive damages. Klamka could not be reached for comment Monday. Miss World is an international pageant organization based in London. Revels' lawyer, Barry Nakell of Chapel Hill, said Revels has no dispute with the international pageant. "Miss World's international organization treated her well,'' Nakell said. "But the folks who had the franchise here did not pay her anything.'' Miss World Holdings no longer has the franchise for the American arm of the Miss World pageant, said Bruce Vermeulen of Irving, Texas. He said he has the license, and his company has no involvement in Revels' dispute. The suit is against Klamka, Miss World Holdings Inc., and Legend Mobile Inc., which Nakell said had been called PTN Media Inc. Revels, a Lumbee Indian of the St. Pauls area, was Miss Fayetteville in 2002 and won the Miss North Carolina pageant that summer. About a month later, as she prepared to compete in the Miss America pageant, an ex-boyfriend said he had topless photos of her and threatened to publicize them. Revels resigned under pressure from pageant officials, but then sued to be reinstated. One of those lawsuits is under appeal, and another is awaiting trial. Revels won a suit against the boyfriend, Tosh Welch, last year. For a short time during the Miss America pageant, Revels and runner-up Misty Clymer competed in the Miss America pageant. In the end, Revels had to step aside, and Clymer represented the state. In September 2002, the Miss World pageant needed an American contestant. The law suit said that Klamka approached Revels and made a list of promises in the offer. Other than providing Revels with round-trip airfare to London, where Nakell said the international pageant then took care of the contestants' expenses, the lawsuit alleges Klamka fulfilled none of his promises. In November 2002, Revels competed in the pageant in Nigeria and, later, London. Violence in Nigeria forced the pageant to leave that country. Revels works as a public information specialist for the Lumbee Tribe. http://www.nbc17.com/news/4285326/detail.html

03-18-2005, 10:05 PM	#4 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	He's got a point though. Those guys who call themselves tuscarora are'nt just trying to get themselves recognized but are stating in their claims that everyone in Robeson County is tuscarora, kinda like the lumbee act does to them. So since we know she's a proud lumbee, it makes you wonder how she feels about her lawyer doing this double dipping thing to prove she's tuscarora. __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

03-22-2005, 10:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
Blackbear Space Cowboy Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Alaska Posts: 9,622	I think it would be considered a conflict of interest by bar standards if he was representing the lumbee tribe and their pursuit of recognition and then also representing these guys... but as it is, he's representing A Lumbee on a different matter... but still, if I were her, I'd drop his butt! __________________ Don't worry that it's not good enough for anyone else to hear... just sing, sing a song.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Distributive justice against Lumbee recognition	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	40	06-19-2006 03:38 PM
House committee debating status of Lumbee Tribe	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	3	04-01-2004 03:57 PM
House panel holds hearing on Lumbee recognition	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	0	03-22-2004 10:50 AM
Lumbee members complain of mobile home problems	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	16	03-09-2004 10:48 PM
New Lumbee tribal leaders sworn into office	Smokin' Ace	Native Issues	0	01-16-2004 11:29 AM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)