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Report: #1034951

Complaint Review: Washington Plus America / Northwest Plus America Latasha Haskins-Raines - Internet

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  • Reported By: Not treated like a queen! — Seattle Washington
  • Author Confirmed What's this?
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  • Washington Plus America / Northwest Plus America Latasha Haskins-Raines Washington Internet United States of America

Washington Plus America / Northwest Plus America Latasha Haskins-Raines The crown that will cause you pain! Internet

*REBUTTAL Individual responds: Thank you

*Consumer Comment: IMPORTANT to know...

*Consumer Comment: Ditto!

*Author of original report: New info!

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CAUTION!

In Latasha's pageant you will be sweet talked to put out the entry fee and then threatened every few days to lose your crown.  You be quoted the contract that you are breaking just by asking a question. There are several brainwashed people that support her and will help bring you in.   Be careful because if you happen to make her feel you don't respect her get ready for the wrath of Omarosa.  

   The winners are hand picked and none will ever be overly heavy as that would not reflect well on her.  So if you are a size 14+ and would like to have your confidence beat down and treated like a child.  This is the pageant for you. 

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 03/15/2013 03:14 AM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/washington-plus-america-northwest-plus-america-latasha-haskins-raines/internet/washington-plus-america-northwest-plus-america-latasha-haskins-raines-the-crown-that-wi-1034951. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author
2Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#4 REBUTTAL Individual responds

Thank you

AUTHOR: NWPALegal - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 29, 2013

First, we would like to thank the Author for sharing their experiences with our pageant system. Thank you for being so transparent about your feelings regarding the topics you have listed in your report. It is unfortunate that you did not feel safe coming to us directly with your concerns, however we are glad that you did not hold them in, but expressed them so that we may address and remedy them. If we don't know, we can't fix it! Thank you too,Thankful, for sharing your experiences as well. We regret that your time with us was so negative, but we appreciate your follow up post!

There are some very serious allegations addressed within this report that will have a permanently damaging impact on Latasha and NW Plus America. It is important that you understand that this is a permanent online record and even when we sort things out or if your feelings change it will remain, forever. With that being said, we are saddened to know that you willfully chose to do something that would cause permanent damage to our organization, ultimately negatively impacting everyone else who believes in what we do and what the Plus America system stands for. These people include, past, present and future contestants, sponsors, vendors, spectators and even those who were inspired by You when you competed or participated. While the intent of this report was to damage Latasha, and it will. It will also damage everyone connected to her and this system who are innocent individuals only wanting to make a difference just like you.

We would like to request any solid documentation or statements that you may have to validate your accusations, primarily the financial claims. Our desire is and always will be to operate with the highest level of integrity. All financial relationships with our venues, charities or sponsors are contracted private matters and both parties have been satisfied or have satisfactory arrangements in place. Latasha has been directing for less than two years and has learned many tough lessons about doing business. Any mistakes that have been made whether they be contractual or financial have received immediate attention by both the National office and our Board of Directors. Please remit to us physical, certified documentations of your accusations so we may move forward accordingly. It is not proper business practice to make a major judgement call based on someone's emotional opinion or hearsay of third party information.

As it pertains to your other concerns:
Yes we have a contract and require that all who sign it stay in compliance. Like any other company, agency or business if parts of the contract is violated, it is within our right to enforce it.
As much as Latasha may like to "hand pick" her queens, she is legally unable to, as set forth in her Director's contract with the national organization. All scores are tallied and audited by a third party auditor who is allowed limited exposure to the contestants leading up to the pageant. She is certified and has been auditing with many prestigious pageant systems for decades.
Since Latasha is a 5'10" size 24 woman, discriminating against larger contestants would be a rejection to her own self. In 2012 her WA Plus America Pageant yielded a 6'2" size 26 winner! In 2013 her queens range from a size 14- size 24 with multiple ethnicities too!
The "It Factor" portion of the score, represented 10% and was also used to break any ties. This was publicly listed and each contestant knew of this prior to entering and paying their fees. Latasha reserves the right as a legal franchise owner to implement such a category leaving 90% of the score to the discretion of the esteemed panel of qualified judges.
As it pertains to her living situation. Latasha and her two children were left homeless when her husband abandoned and divorced her at the end of November 2012. A family, which also attends her church opened their home to her. For the past four months her and her kids have been  sharing a room and sleeping on the floor of this family's home. The most valuable part of our program is the sisterhood and the fact that we all help each other when things get tough. From fixing a flat tire to baby sitting to even offering shelter to a sister in need. Yes, the family of one of the contestants opened their home to her. This contestant received Zero advice, assistance or guidance from Latasha. Verifiable this contestant paid for and received coaching from an Auburn-based pageant coach on a bi-weekly basis. This contestant was held to the same expectations as every other contestant. She was also a returning contestant, giving her a competitive edge and knowledge on how to prepare. When Latasha became homeless she called the Washington 2-1-1 line requesting emergency housing placement and was put on a waiting list  first. Due to extenuating circumstances staying with family was not an option, so this family opened their home.

We hope this clarifies some of your concerns and we look forward to receiving the documentation from you as financial negligence is unacceptable within our organization.

To remit certified documentation regarding your financial negligence claims please send them to:
Info@nwplusamerica.com

To speak with Latasha directly please contact her at: LRaines@nwplusamerica.com

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#3 Consumer Comment

IMPORTANT to know...

AUTHOR: Thankful - ()

POSTED: Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Yes I supported the author and told my experience but........I want to make sure it is known that I did come out stronger and with more self growth and learning than I could have imagined.  I would go through EVERYTHING again to have become the person I am today. 

   TO the author...I know that as time passes..you will heal and use this experience to strengthen you.  In that case...Latasha could be considered the Jillian (biggest loser Jillian)   of the pageant world.  Breaks you down so you can be built up stronger and better than you ever dreamed possible :)   As I have told her many times and will ALWAYS say..she has incredible potential and power.  I would lock arms with her tomorrow to get things done.  Just have to build people up always! 

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#2 Consumer Comment

Ditto!

AUTHOR: Karly - ()

POSTED: Thursday, March 21, 2013

Was told about this report and since the blame for reporting it is assumed to be me  and IT IS NOT....I wanted to come on and give my support.  I am not familiar with recent 2013 events but do know the 2012 are pretty accurate.

I was part of the 2012 pageant and yes  it was all sweet until 30 days in and then threats of breaking contract and losing title started.  Isolated and told  that my social skills were lacking I was only being kept in the pageant because SHE was allowing it.  I would ask a simple question and that was taken as insubordination and disrespect.  She said I only asked questions because she was younger than me or because of the color of her skin.  NO...I asked questions to do well!   There was a point where she tried to take away another delegates crown and I secretly told the national office and it wasn't allowed to happen.   I witnessed contestants bullied ..hotel staff bullied...and at one point contestants told to face the wall while someone else could be chewed out.   I rightfully placed 3rd and was planning on entering again the next year with the hopes I could do better and help her .... and be a protector of the next years contestants.   In order to be transparent...I told her it had been me who had protected the gal from losing her crown.   She was hurt but reacted well and  said she understood why I had done so.   BUT THEN the next a.m. the email came...and I was told I would not be allowed to be in HER pageant again...but welcome to enter "at large" with the same system.  I would be ALLOWED to continue to be the reigning city queen until the completion of the one year from application.    Knowing I could not stand by and know others would be mis treated and I could not help them.  I resigned my title.    All my sister Queens from the pageant were told they had to unfriend me and are not allowed to be in the same room as me.  

I joined another system and she right away called and emailed my new Director lieing about me  and continued to do so for over 10 months!  Finally the lies caused such negative .... I resigned a NATIONAL title.     The day of my resignation Latasha posted a rant about how justice had been served!   On more than one occasion I have reached out to try and mend the professional relationship since our pageants are in the same area.  Time and time again...her vendetta against me has shot all those offers down. 

What did I do to cause such un forgiveness?  I STOOD UP....I SPOKE OUT....I WOULD NOT BE BULLIED!  AND I will NOT be pushed out of pageantry!  Within  24 hrs of my joining my third pageant...she contacted the Director to tell her negative things!  THANKFULLY God Blessed me with a strong Director who will NOT be bullied and I finally feel safe from my experience being tainted.   Serious consideration has went into filing a harassment order against her ....BUT I want to believe she will get better and get help and learn forgiveness.

I do know the charity problem is truth as the charity owner contacted me personally for help.   I do know the National office is well aware of all goings on and has been contacted by numerous people with written complaints.  Several have resigned their titles quietly.   I do understand the pain the author speaks of.  My confidence was torn down by the end of the 6 month's I was a WPA delegate.  I am thankful for the lessons. I am thankful the strength it caused me to grow.  And I do wish her the best and pray that she learns that a true leader builds up her people and hopes that they do ask questions and are strong leaders themselves.

I can tell you from my other pageant experiences that they were night and day from Latasha's.  So if you do join her system...know that it does not represent pageantry in general.

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#1 Author of original report

New info!

AUTHOR: Not treated like a queen - ()

POSTED: Friday, March 15, 2013

As WPA -  Washington Plus America
  At the Febuary 2012 pageant a charity was promised $100 from each delegates entry fee and even though the charity was brought on stage and a presentation made they were not paid for over six months and finally threatening legal action received their money. The hotel from that same event has still not been paid the over $17,000 bill.   Scores were never received by the contestants in the 2012 pageant.   
   The national Plus America Organization  Melissa and William Stamper have been made aware of ALL complaints even told about the unpaid hotel and have done nothing!   The national office has received numerous written complaints about the Director and to date has done nothing. 
  Name changed to NWPA  Northwest Plus America -  National office let her Direct Oregon with Washington
  At the 2013 pageant a winner was chosen even though the Director lives with the family.  UNPROFESSIONAL?  UNETHICAL? 
  Questions' being asked about why well performing  heavier delegates were passed over for the crown.  RIGGED?  Paperwork shows part of final decision is made by director and staff since "they know the contestant better" .  UNLIKE other mainstream pageants where the judges scores choose the winner!

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