Miss Australia Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild and Miss Colombia Camila Avella the top five finalists, take part in the 72nd Miss Universe pageant in San Salvador November 18, 2023. REUTERS/Jose Cabezas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsDec 2 (Reuters) - Nicaraguan police late on Friday charged the owner of the local Miss Universe franchise with conspiracy, money laundering and spreading fake news, just weeks after the Central American nation's first victory in the pageant. Authorities have accused Karen Celebertti, director of the Miss Nicaragua franchise, her husband and son with conspiracy against the government, according to a statement issued by the national police. Celebertti's local Miss Universe organization has been used to "turn pageants into political traps and political ambushes, financed by foreign agents," the police statement said. Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios won the title of Miss Universe on Nov. 18, becoming the first Central American to wear the crown.

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Persons: Moraya Wilson, Miss Puerto Rico Karla Guilfu, Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios, Miss Thailand Anntonia Porsild, Colombia Camila Avella, Jose Cabezas, Karen Celebertti, Celebertti, Nicaragua's Sheynnis Palacios, Palacios, Ismael Lopez, Toby Chopra Organizations: Miss, Miss Nicaragua, 72nd Miss Universe, REUTERS, Nicaraguan police, Miss Universe, Central American, Reuters, Authorities, Central, Nicaraguans, Police, Inter, American, Human Rights, Thomson Locations: Miss Puerto, Miss Thailand, San Salvador, Miss Nicaragua, Nicaragua, Central American, New York