Posted on: March 12, 2026, 03:55h.
Last updated on: March 12, 2026, 03:55h.
- Ex-beauty queen admits guilt in $7 million Ponzi scheme
- Prosecutors allege investors were lured with promises of massive returns from a fictitious enterprise
- A significant portion of the embezzled funds was squandered on gambling
A former beauty queen from Nevada has confessed to two counts of fraud, with prosecutors stating she deceived investors out of $7 million in a fraudulent Ponzi scheme. A portion of the funds was reportedly lost in casinos.
Maria Dickerson, who is also known by names such as “Dulce Pino,” “Maria Dulce Pino Dickerson,” and “Dulce Brubaker” of Sacramento, was crowned “Ms. Woman Nevada 2020” — a title in the United States National Pageants system contested by over 40 participants.
At 49, Dickerson asserts that she was also the “Ms. Elite United States 2021,” but records of such a pageant appear to exist only on her LinkedIn profile.
Illusions of Grandeur
However, many of the claims made by Dickerson proved false, leading to severe consequences for her investors.
Between 2020 and 2024, she operated an investment scheme where she sold stakes in what prosecutors described as a bogus shell company known as Creative Legal Fundings of CA (CLF), as per court documents. She falsely asserted that the firm provided loans to personal injury attorneys to fund legal actions in exchange for a share of any future settlements or awards.
Dickerson assured investors that their investments were secure and supported by significant initial capital. To enhance the company’s credibility and draw in investors, she allegedly linked CLF to the CEO of a global gambling enterprise.
The specific company is not identified in court records, but Dickerson’s LinkedIn page claims she was employed by Bally Technologies in London, a division of the gaming and casino powerhouse Light & Wonder.
“She guaranteed investors a minimum return of 10% per month on their principal investments, with additional compounded interest if they kept their funds with her,” federal prosecutors articulated. “In truth, Dickerson neglected to register her securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission and financed a lavish lifestyle using money from new investors to settle debts with older ones.”
Authorities noted that she persuaded around 156 investors to contribute upwards of $10 million to her fraudulent operation.
Extravagant Spending
Dickerson lavished over $280,000 at casinos in Las Vegas and California, nearly $23,000 on luxury items, and more than $75,000 on travel accommodations, as per court documents. Additionally, she reportedly withdrew approximately $1 million from investor funds through various cash disbursements and cashier’s checks.
This fraudulent activity coincided with Dickerson’s tenure as Ms. Woman Nevada 2020, which likely helped her craft a perception of success and reliability.
Prosecutors assert that she predominantly targeted individuals within the Filipino community, of which she was also a member. The FBI has cautioned against such “affinity fraud,” where scammers exploit shared identities and social connections within immigrant populations to foster trust.