More than two months before the Miss Universe pageant is set to begin in Puerto Rico, a new controversy has emerged. Nawat Itsaragrisil, executive director of Miss Universe Eastern and also director of Miss Grand International and Miss Universe Thailand, asked Governor Jenniffer González Colón and Puerto Rico Tourism Company Executive Director Willianette Robles to open an investigation into alleged embezzlement of government funds paid to the Miss Universe Organization for hosting the 75th edition of the pageant on the island.
In a TikTok livestream, Itsaragrisil claimed Raúl Rocha Cantú, president of JKN Universe LLC (the pageant’s holding company), transferred over $4.2 million from a company tied to the contest for personal uses, including $300,000 to a personal account on October 7, 2025, and withdrew more than $1.67 million from organization accounts, including $300,000 personally and $295,000 for a Florida property. He also alleged $279,000 and $245,000 withdrawals to a Miami company, $1.93 million used to pay a personal loan, and $300,000 for private jet maintenance.
Rocha Cantú faces fuel and weapons trafficking charges in Mexico. Itsaragrisil said he has sent unanswered letters to Tourism for two months and wants to protect Puerto Rico from further financial loss.