SEATTLE -- Elyse Umemoto said unflattering photos of her that began making the rounds online Wednesday morning were stolen and investigators are now trying to determine whether they ended up online as part of a criminal act.

Among the 14 photos of Elyse Umemoto posted on the entertainment Web site TMZ.com, were pictures showing the Miss Washington 2007 winner flipping off the camera while wearing a tiara and making sexually suggestive gestures.

In a statement sent to the site, Michael Miller, Executive Field Director of the Miss Washington Scholarship Organization, said the group was embarrassed by the photos.

"We do not condone the behaviors depicted in these photos," the statement said. "However, there will be no discipline for Elyse based on the behavior evidenced in the photos. None of them depict illegal behavior or cross a line that cannot be uncrossed."

Miller also added that it would not be appropriate to discipline Umemoto for acts that predated her selection as Miss Washington.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Umemoto said the photos were stolen from her.

"Most of these pictures were taken with my own camera in settings I considered to be private and when I was among friends I could trust," she said. "Clearly someone has violated that trust and I am deeply hurt by such an act of betrayal."

Umemoto stressed that none of the pictures were taken during her year of service as Miss Washington. The photos were taken two years ago during Umemoto's term as Miss Seattle.

"I am not proud of the way I am depicted in these photographs and, in my defense, I can only say that being a role model and a public figure is truly a full-time job," she said. "The photographs do not represent my true essence in any way and they depict me clowning around.

"I apologize for acting in a way that allowed this situation to occur."

Miller said Umemoto is learning a tough lesson, and the program remains proud of her.

"These photos were stolen from here electronically, and the case has been referred to the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office," Miller told KOMO. "Because we're looking at criminal proceedings there's nothing more we can comment on in that regard."

Umemoto was the second runner-up in this year's Miss America pageant. The next Miss Washington will be crowned on Saturday and Umemoto will be present to crown her successor.