A San Antonio pageant winner suing to get her crown and title back claims a pageant official told her to "get off the tacos."

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A lawyer for Dominique Ramirez, 17, who is suing the Miss Bexar County Organization Inc. to get her title back after she was dethroned for alleged performance problems, said his client, who stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 129 pounds, was told by an official that she needed to "get off the tacos," the San Antonio Express-News reported Friday.

Officials said the comment was aimed at encouraging Ramirez to follow a healthy diet, but attorney Louis Vera said it was an unwarranted warning about her weight.

Pageant officials said Ramirez lost the crown after repeatedly being late to events and missing one appearance entirely, but her lawyer said his client was late because the officials failed to provide transportation and an escort for his client.

Glenda Coyle, former executive director of the pageant's board, told the court current members violated legal requirements by firing Ramirez via e-mail after only one written warning. She said laws require there to be at least three letters regarding her alleged performance problems before dismissal.