Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip Miss Universe sentence

Jakkaphong "Anne" Jakrajutatip, the Thai media executive and former co-owner of the Miss Universe Organization, has been sentenced to two years in prison on fraud charges, marking the latest chapter in a tumultuous year for the iconic international pageant.

According to People, the Bangkok South Kwaeng Court issued the sentence on Friday, December 26, 2025, after finding Jakrajutatip guilty of defrauding an investor by concealing critical financial information and misleading him into purchasing nearly $1 million worth of corporate bonds from her company, JKN Global Group. Prosecutors said the bonds were sold despite clear internal knowledge that the company was in serious financial distress.

Jakrajutatip did not appear for the verdict and remains at large, with local reports suggesting she may have fled to Mexico. Thai authorities had previously issued an arrest warrant after she failed to show up in court, prompting officials to deem her a flight risk.

The fraud case, filed by investor Raveewat Maschamadol, alleged that Jakrajutatip and her company obtained roughly 30 million baht (about $930,000) through deception. Despite being released on bail earlier in the legal process, she repeatedly skipped scheduled hearings, escalating the legal pressure and international scrutiny on her and JKN Global.

The sentencing comes amid a series of controversies for the Miss Universe Organization. In late 2025, the competition's 74th edition in Bangkok, Thailand was overshadowed by allegations of favoritism, judging conflicts and administrative chaos, culminating in the crowning of Miss Mexico Fátima Bosch Fernández amid protests from contestants and judges alike.

Compounding the leadership turmoil, Raúl Rocha Cantú, who co-owns the pageant with JKN through Legacy Holding Group USA, has faced separate legal troubles in Mexico, where prosecutors reportedly froze his bank accounts amid investigations tied to organized crime.

Jakrajutatip had become a global figure after her company acquired the Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA brands in 2022, making her the first transgender woman to fully own the pageant's rights. Her rise was celebrated as a landmark moment for LGBTQ+ representation in global beauty and media industries.

The sentence handed down in her absence and the ongoing investigations surrounding key figures in the organization may signal deeper structural challenges for Miss Universe as it tries to recover public confidence and pivot toward a more stable leadership era in 2026.