TODAY'S TMJ4

Miss Wisconsin-USA Resigns

CREATED May. 16, 2011

WAUNAKEE - Shaletta Porterfield, the former Miss Wisconsin USA, is accused of signing businesses up for ads in the phonebook.

According to the criminal complaint Porterfield forged the signatures of business owners. She faces three separate identify theft charges. The charges cost her crown and could land her behind bars. Her smile, poise and beauty allowed for the 26-year-old to take home the crown in the 2011 pageant.

But now she stands in shame after Waunakee Police arrested and charged the former Miss Wisconsin USA for identity theft.

We we're made aware of this back in August 2010," said Lt. Joe Peterson. Peterson said the department started to receive complaints from area businesses who all got a bill from a company Porterfield worked for. "Ms Porterfield was submitting information the businesses were purchasing ad space when they were not," said Peterson.

"I was shocked by what happened," said Jim Langoff a friend of Porterfield. The two recently had lunch together and told TODAY'S TMJ4 it was clear something was bothering her. "She said she was going through a difficult time," he added. But Porterfield didn't go into details.

Langoff found out about her resignation and criminal problems not from his friend but from watching the news. The former Miss Wisconsin USA hasn't talked to him or anyone in the public about the charges.

Porterfield, a native of Walled Lake, Mich., will not represent the state in the Miss USA competition next month. Assuming the state title and also competing in the 60th annual Miss USA pageant on June 19 in Las Vegas will be Jordan Marie Morkin, 20, of Green Bay.