TACOMA, Wash. -- Miss Washington, Elyse Umemoto, apologized Wednesday for embarrassing photos that were posted on a celebrity news Web site. She said the photos were stolen electronically and the thefts have been reported to law enforcement authorities.

Umemoto, speaking at a news conference in Tacoma, said the photos were taken with her camera between one and a half and two years ago.

She said she was sorry for the negative publicity the publication of the photos has generated.

She will retain her crown as Miss Washington and will not be disciplined, pageant officials said.

One picture on TMZ.com shows Umemoto making an obscene gesture while wearing a crown. Other shots -- posted under the headline "Miss Washington -- One Bad Apple!" -- showed what TMZ.com said were "suggestive oral sex gang signs" and her "getting her Beer Pong on."

The organization is "embarrassed," Miss Washington Executive Field Director Mike Miller told TMZ.com. "It is unfortunate that her behavior in unguarded moments has attracted attention," he said in a statement issued earlier in the day.

"We do not condone the behaviors depicted in these photos. 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. Elyse feels very bad about how this attention affects her reputation and that of our organization," the statement said.

The pictures were revealed early Wednesday morning, days before Saturday night's pageant in Tacoma, where Miss Washington 2008 will be crowned.