OFF BEAT: Wannabe pageant queen takes runway walk to fraud charges

Shawna Palmer was charged with three felony counts of insurance fraud after being spotted in a Miss Toyota beauty pageant. / Photo via Facebook

Though style will always trump comfort for beauty pageant contestants, a pair of shoes got one beauty queen in trouble with the law.

Prescribed an orthopedic shoe and crutches to treat a fractured toe she allegedly suffered while working at a supermarket, Shawna Lynn Palmer, 22, appeared to have no trouble strutting her stuff in high heels and a bikini while competing to become Miss Toyota at the Long Beach Grand Prix in California, according to press reports.

But rather than taking home the tiara, Ms. Palmer earned a pair of handcuffs after Insurance Department authorities learned of her performance, which occurred while she was collecting workers compensation disability benefits. Ms. Palmer was later released on $5,000 bail after she was charged with three felony counts of insurance fraud, authorities reported. If convicted, Ms. Palmer could serve up to one year in prison.