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CBS) ASBURY PARK, N.J. Who's blackmailing Miss New Jersey?

On Thursday the beauty queen said that someone is threatening to release personal photos of her if she doesn't give up her crown.

CBS 2 HD has learned she's not backing down.

They were not the usual tears of joy from a beauty contest winner. Amy Polumbo, Miss New Jersey, stepped forward to announce her private ordeal.

"Being crowned Miss New Jersey was a dream come true, but that dream has turned into a nightmare," Polumbo said. "I'm a victim of blackmail and possible extortion."

She said she and beauty pageant officials received a package last week containing compromising photos she'd once posted on Facebook.com. Attached was a letter promising to publicize them if she did not relinquish her crown by Friday.

"It would certainly be easier to succumb to immoral threats, but what would that say about me?" Polumbo said.

Yet Polumbo wouldn't say what those photos show. Her family claims they are not nude shots, and a source close to the family says they show her engaging in "horseplay" fully clothed.

"We know Amy put certain photos of a fun nature on a Web site years ago…received in poor fashion." said Anthony Caruso, Polumbo's attorney.

The question is whether they're racy enough to cost her her title and a shot at the Miss America crown. Miss New Jersey officials say they're reviewing the situation, as is the Miss America Organization.

"The State Executive Director of New Jersey has notified our national office that they are currently reviewing the situation concerning Miss New Jersey, Amy Polumbo. This is a state issue for the State Organization of New Jersey and their Board," the Miss America Organization said in a statement.

Ironically, Polumbo won her title promising to campaign against Internet predators. Now she says she's a victim of an Internet crime herself.

Polumbo's lawyer said she has notified law enforcement agencies of the alleged blackmail attempt. Neither the local police nor the U.S. Attorney's office will confirm an investigation.

In 2002, Miss North Carolina Rebekah Revels, gave up her crown after an ex-boyfriend told pageant executives he had topless photos of her. The photos never surfaced, but the damage was done. Miss America 1984, Vanessa Williams, was forced to resign when Penthouse published nude photos of her.

Both of those women rebounded. Revels later became Miss United States in the Miss World competition. Williams, of course, has found enduring fame as a pop singer and actress.