Missouri Woman Pleads Guilty in Presley Graceland Fraud Case \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Lisa Jeanine Findley of Missouri pleaded guilty to mail fraud in an attempt to auction Elvis Presley’s Graceland using fake loan documents. She falsely claimed Presley’s daughter had borrowed $3.8 million and pledged the estate as collateral. A judge halted the sale after Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, sued for fraud.
Graceland Fraud Case: Quick Looks
- Lisa Jeanine Findley pleaded guilty to mail fraud in a federal court in Memphis.
- She attempted to auction Graceland using fabricated loan documents and false identities.
- Findley claimed Lisa Marie Presley borrowed $3.8 million before her 2023 passing.
- A judge halted the sale after Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, sued.
- The scam involved fake lenders, forged documents, and fraudulent foreclosure notices.
- Tennessee’s attorney general called the scheme “nonsense,” praising federal authorities.
- Findley faces sentencing on June 18, with a likely reduced sentence under her plea deal.
Deep Look
Lisa Jeanine Findley, a Missouri woman accused of attempting to fraudulently auction off Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland estate, has pleaded guilty to mail fraud in a Memphis federal court. The scheme, which involved forged documents, fake identities, and a phony lender, was halted by a judge after Presley’s granddaughter, Riley Keough, sued to stop the sale.
Findley, who initially pleaded not guilty, admitted to the crime during a court hearing on Tuesday. In exchange for her guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop a second charge of aggravated identity theft. If convicted on both counts, she could have faced up to 20 years in prison, though her sentence—set for June 18—is expected to be less severe due to the plea deal.
A Bold Attempt to Steal Graceland
Findley’s scheme revolved around fabricating a fraudulent loan agreement, falsely claiming that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million from a fake private lender and used Graceland as collateral. The alleged loan, which authorities say never existed, supposedly went unpaid, leading Findley to orchestrate a bogus foreclosure sale to take control of the estate.
Federal investigators revealed that Findley went to great lengths to make the fraud appear legitimate. She created Naussany Investments and Private Lending, a completely fictitious company, and posed as multiple individuals involved in the supposed transaction. She then published a foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper in May 2024, announcing that Graceland would be auctioned to the highest bidder.
The attempted sale quickly raised red flags among legal and financial experts. Many questioned how such a high-profile property could be foreclosed upon without any public record of the debt or lender’s legitimacy.
Legal Battle and Court Intervention
Upon discovering the fraudulent foreclosure attempt, Riley Keough, the sole heir of Graceland, filed an urgent lawsuit to stop the sale, alleging that the entire transaction was fraudulent. In court, her attorneys presented overwhelming evidence that Lisa Marie Presley had never borrowed money from Naussany Investments.
Further doubt was cast on the scheme when Kimberly Philbrick, a notary whose name appeared on the supposed loan documents, testified that she had never met Lisa Marie Presley nor notarized any loan agreements related to Graceland. This revelation called the authenticity of the documents into question and reinforced claims of fraudulent activity.
As the case unfolded, the judge swiftly issued an injunction blocking the sale, citing significant concerns about the validity of the foreclosure documents and lender’s claims. This legal action ensured that Graceland remained under the rightful ownership of Presley’s estate.
Findley’s Attempted Cover-Up
Realizing that her scheme had collapsed under legal scrutiny, Findley attempted to deflect blame by creating yet another deception. In May 2024, an email was sent to The Associated Press, originating from the same address used in Findley’s fraudulent scheme. The email, written in Spanish, claimed that the entire foreclosure attempt was orchestrated by a Nigerian fraud ring that targets elderly and deceased individuals in the U.S.
Federal investigators immediately dismissed these claims, determining that the email was simply another attempt by Findley to shift responsibility away from herself. Authorities had already linked all fraudulent activity directly to her and found no credible evidence of outside involvement.
Presley’s Legacy and the Importance of Graceland
Graceland, the 13-acre estate of Elvis Presley, has been a historic and cultural landmark since opening as a museum in 1982. The estate attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, with fans traveling from around the world to pay tribute to the King of Rock & Roll.
The attempted fraudulent sale of Graceland stunned many experts, given the estate’s historical significance and high public profile. Legal professionals and Elvis Presley fans alike questioned how such an audacious scheme could progress to the point of a scheduled foreclosure auction before being stopped.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti strongly condemned the scheme, calling it “nonsense” and applauding federal authorities for their swift intervention.
“Graceland matters so much to so many people around the world – just go to Memphis during Elvis Week and listen to all the different accents and languages of fans who make the pilgrimage,” Skrmetti said. “All of Tennessee is glad that Graceland remains safely in the possession of Elvis’s heir and that it will remain a celebrated Memphis landmark for generations to come.”
What’s Next for Findley?
Now that Findley has pleaded guilty, she awaits sentencing on June 18. While she initially faced up to 20 years in prison, her plea deal is expected to reduce her sentence. Legal experts predict she could receive a sentence of several years in federal prison, though the final decision will be up to the judge.
This case serves as a warning against real estate fraud and highlights the diligence required to protect high-profile properties from scammers. With Graceland remaining securely in the hands of Presley’s heirs, the estate continues to stand as a lasting tribute to Elvis Presley’s musical legacy.
Missouri Woman Pleads
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