Pageant officials ruled Thursday that Miss New Jersey can keep her crown despite the content of photos she released amid a blackmail threat.

Amy Polumbo admits the photos show her acting ?not in a ladylike manner.? She went public with the photos of herself after they had been sent anonymously to pageant officials. However, board members decided the pictures did not merit stripping her of the title.

Polumbo?s attorney said a person or persons claiming to be The Committee To Save Miss America, threatened to make the photos public unless Polumbo gave up her title.

Pageant officials said the pictures may be distasteful to some, but they?re of a typical college student and ultimately harmless.

?I?m very happy about this decision, and I look forward to resuming my agenda as Miss New Jersey,? Polumbo said.

The photos include a picture showing a man Polumbo said was her boyfriend apparently biting her breast through her shirt. Another showed Polumbo in a limousine wearing jeans with her legs spread in the air.

Polumbo apologized for the trouble the pictures had caused and thanked the pageant board for their support.

The 22-year-old Howell Township woman will represent the Garden State in the next Miss America pageant, which has yet to be scheduled.

AP wires contributed to this story.

Click here for the full press conference on the announcement.

To also view the full press conference with pageant directors and Polumbo, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO extra.

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