Moakler Responds to Prejean

Former Miss California USA co-executive director Shanna Moakler responded sharply to the lawsuit filed by ousted beauty queen Carrie Prejean on Monday, saying through an attorney that Prejean's charges of religious discrimination hold no merit.

Attorney Mel Avanzado also suggested that Prejean's own "bigoted" statements against marriage equality were to blame for any damages to her reputation, for which Prejean also seeks compensation in her lawsuit against Moakler and other state pageant officials.

"More importantly, as everyone who watched or read her public statements is well aware, Ms. Prejean's unfortunate and bigoted statements are responsible for any public humiliation or damages to her reputation that she has claimed to have suffered," Avanzado said, according to People.com. "Ms. Moakler strenuously denies that she did anything wrong and looks forward to proving that in a court of law."

Pageant officials fired Prejean, 22, from her role as Miss California in June, saying that she failed to appear for scheduled appearances. Prejean claims that she lost her position because she said she believed marriage should be between a man and a woman in response to a question posed during the Miss USA pageant in April.