In a recent court development in Memphis, Tennessee, a Missouri woman has admitted to devising a fraudulent plan involving the iconic Graceland estate, once home to Elvis Presley. On Tuesday, Lisa Jeanine Findley confessed to a federal mail fraud charge concerning the attempt to deceitfully auction off Graceland. Initially pleading not guilty to the charges, which also included aggravated identity theft, Findley accepted a plea deal that resulted in the latter charge being dropped. When asked by the judge, Findley acknowledged her guilt and responsibility, stating, “Yes.”
Findley is scheduled for sentencing on June 18. Although the initial charges could have resulted in a 20-year prison sentence, her plea deal may lead to a lesser term. Prosecutors revealed that Findley falsely asserted that Presley’s daughter took a $3.8 million loan using Graceland as collateral before her passing in January 2023. Following this claim, she attempted to extort Presley’s family by threatening to sell Graceland unless they settled for $2.85 million.
The scheme involved Findley impersonating multiple individuals supposedly connected to a fraudulent lender, forging loan documents, and publishing an illegitimate foreclosure notice in a Memphis publication to announce Graceland’s auction slated for May 2024. This audacious plan was halted when Presley’s granddaughter successfully sued, leading to a judge stopping the sale. Legal experts were astounded by the depth of the conspiracy, noting the use of easily debunked names and documents.
Graceland, revered as a museum since 1982, draws countless Elvis enthusiasts from around the globe. It stands as a pivotal cultural and historical site, accompanied by an Elvis-themed entertainment center managed by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Presley’s legacy continues long after his death in August 1977.
A foreclosure notice suggested that Promenade Trust, overseeing Graceland, owed $3.8 million due to a 2018 loan default. Actor Riley Keough, Presley’s granddaughter, is the current beneficiary of the trust and estate following her mother Lisa Marie Presley’s death. In response to the foreclosure threat, Keough initiated a legal action claiming fraud, leading to a judicial injunction against the auction. Authorities have identified Naussany Investments and Private Lending as the fictitious lender created by Findley, falsely stating that Lisa Marie had pledged Graceland against a loan.
Keough’s lawsuit exposed the bogus loan documentation presented by Naussany, highlighting that Lisa Marie had never engaged with them. The notary named on these papers, Kimberly Philbrick, denied any association or notarizing documents for Presley, casting further doubt on the fraud’s legitimacy.
The case drew significant attention, with the Tennessee attorney general eventually referring it to federal authorities for investigation after halting the auction process. Naussany’s representatives later explained withdrawing from the proceedings due to legal complexities involving multiple states, as key documents originated outside Tennessee.
In a desperate move to deflect suspicion, Findley attempted to blame an international scammer for the plot. An email reportedly aimed to shift blame to a Nigerian fraud network, notoriously targeting deceased and elderly U.S. residents through online schemes.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti condemned the attempt as “nonsense,” applauding the federal authorities’ diligence. He emphasized Graceland’s importance to fans worldwide, particularly noted during annual Elvis Week celebrations. Skrmetti expressed relief that Graceland remains with Presley’s rightful heirs and continues as a cherished landmark.
The scheduled update underlined that Findley’s sentence will be delivered on June 18.
