Summary:
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A Missouri woman faces federal charges for attempting to defraud Elvis Presley’s family of millions and unlawfully claim ownership of Graceland.
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Lisa Jeanine Findley, also known by multiple aliases, allegedly orchestrated a fraudulent sale of Graceland and sought millions from the Presley family.
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The ongoing dispute over the ownership of Graceland following Lisa Marie Presley’s death involves complex legal battles and allegations of fraud.
A Missouri woman was arrested Friday morning on federal charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud the family of Elvis Presley of millions of dollars and to unlawfully claim ownership of the iconic Graceland estate. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that 53-year-old Lisa Jeanine Findley faces serious charges for her alleged involvement in the scheme.
Findley, who has also been known by the names Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, Gregory Naussany, Kurt Naussany, Lisa Jeanine Sullins, and Carolyn Williams, is scheduled to appear later Friday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s criminal division and principal deputy assistant attorney general, detailed the allegations in a statement. Argentieri said Findley “orchestrated a scheme to conduct a fraudulent sale of Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan that she failed to repay before her death. As part of the brazen scheme, we allege that the defendant created numerous false documents and sought to extort a settlement from the Presley family. Now she is facing federal charges. The criminal division and its partners are committed to holding fraudsters to account.”
According to the complaint, Findley posed as multiple individuals working for a fictitious private lending firm named Naussany Investments. She allegedly claimed that Lisa Marie Presley, the late daughter of Elvis Presley, had borrowed $3.8 million in 2018 and had used Graceland as collateral for the loan. Findley purported that Lisa Marie failed to repay the loan before her death in January 2023 and sought $2.85 million from the Presley family as a result.
Findley is accused of fabricating loan documents, forging signatures of Lisa Marie Presley and a Florida state notary, and filing false claims with various authorities. These included a fraudulent creditor’s claim with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles and a deceptive deed of trust with the Shelby County Register’s Office in Memphis. Additionally, she allegedly published a fake foreclosure notice in local newspaper *The Commercial Appeal*, advertising an auction of Graceland.
When Presley’s family responded with a lawsuit in Tennessee state court, Findley allegedly submitted false court documents. She purportedly then shifted blame, claiming the scheme was orchestrated by a Nigerian identity thief.
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Findley faces federal charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison for identity theft and up to 20 years in prison for mail fraud.
Eric Shen, inspector in charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group, commented on the case. “Fame and money are magnets for criminals who look to capitalize on another person’s celebrity status,” Shen said. “In this case, Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic occurrences in the Presley family as an opportunity to prey on the name and financial status of the heirs to the Graceland estate, attempting to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her personal gain. Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners put an end to her alleged scheme, protecting the Presley family from continued harm and stress. This is an example of our relentless investigative work and commitment to bringing criminals to justice for their illegal activity.”
This arrest comes amidst an ongoing dispute over the ownership of Graceland following the death of Lisa Marie Presley. Presley, who had inherited the estate, was succeeded by her eldest daughter, Riley Keough, as the sole trustee and owner. Lisa Marie’s mother, Priscilla Presley, challenged the legitimacy of this decision, arguing that the 2016 trust amendment, which named Keough as the sole trustee, was questionable due to signature discrepancies. Initially, Priscilla Presley was set to be co-trustee alongside Lisa Marie’s former business manager, Barry Siegel. However, a financial settlement was later reached between Keough and Priscilla Presley, with Keough remaining the sole trustee and Priscilla Presley taking on a role as a “special adviser.”
The case continues to unfold as federal authorities pursue justice for the Presley family, ensuring that those who seek to exploit their legacy face appropriate consequences.
