Mehajer's win probed amid claims Miss Lebanon Australia 'rigged'
A probe has begun into claims the Miss Lebanon Australia competition was 'rigged' so that Salim Mehajer's little sister could win the crown.
A contestant has come forward claiming 'money was exchanged' in the beauty pageant to influence a judging panel's decision to give Mary (Mariam) Mehajer first place, despite entering late, News Corp reports.
FAIR Trading NSW confirmed to Yahoo7 that they had recieved a complaint and they were assessing the situation.
Miss Mehajer, 18, entered the competition three weeks before it took place, says reports, despite most participants entering two months ago.
Miss Mehajer was chosen over eight other contestants at the charity pageant on Sunday.
The former Auburn deputy mayor shared his pride for his younger sister, a university student, on Facebook.
There are reportedly no rules banning late entry of participants to the show.
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Other allegations reportedly include claims that Miss Mehajer had another advantage during the competiton because her brother's business Mehajer Bros was a sponsor of the event.
Mr Mehajer told News Corp:
“As the old saying goes ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’.
"It is unfortunate the first idea that strikes people’s minds are such negative connotations as I can only see positives for the success my younger sister has achieved," he said.
Miss Mehajer will now compete for the international Miss Lebanon title in Beirut next year.
News Corp reports a Fair Trading NSW spokesman confirmed it was investigating a complaint.
Pageant director Joe Khoury reportedly threatened staff and contestants with legal action if they criticised the contest.
Mr Mehajer and his large family rose to fame after his extravagant wedding his wife Aysha, however it’s been recently claimed the pair are now estranged.
The politician is being investigated over a domestic incident, after it was alleged he was ‘yelling, screaming and knocking’ at the door of a Wollongong home where Aysha was staying.
In April, Mr Mehajer denied claims his wife had packed her bags and left the couple’s home in western Sydney.
Miss Lebanon Australia is a charity fundraiser, which aims to encourage women to celebrate their cultural identity.
Miss Mehajer studies at Sydney's University of Technology.
She was crowned the winner of the pageant ahead of Mary Hakim and Jessica Nercessian.
“All the girls were very nice so it was a difficult decision for the judges to appoint a winner,” event organiser Joseph Khoury told Fairfax.
