As a long-time Elvis Presley fan and Memphis resident, this news about the alleged fraud targeting Graceland leaves me shaking my head in disbelief. The thought of someone trying to extort millions from the Presley family is beyond appalling. It’s like they’re trying to steal a piece of our city’s soul.
A foreclosure announcement, made public in a Tennessee newspaper in May, revealed an unidentified investment company’s intention to conduct an auction for Graceland, with the sale scheduled for later that month. This news sent ripples of surprise and dismay through Elvis Presley’s family and the Memphis community, as they are connected to this historic landmark.
Additionally, this event led to an inquiry into a widely recognized swindler who asserted that Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as security for a loan she didn’t repay before her passing the previous year. On Friday, federal authorities outlined their discoveries: a plan to extort vast sums of money from the Presley family by manipulating a false sale of the 14-acre estate.
Authorities claim Lisa Findley pretended to be different people associated with Naussany Investments, deceiving Riley Keough by saying her mother failed to repay a loan of $3.8 million in 2018. They say she menaced to seize the property within a fortnight if payments weren’t made.
As stated in the accusatory document, Findley suggested a deal worth $2.85 million to settle the loan issue. However, this arrangement supposedly fell through when a lawsuit was brought forth against the investment company, charging them with fraud. Consequently, a court prevented the auction of Graceland and an investigation ensued.
As a gamer, I’d put it like this: “I understand that Graceland is a national gem, a place deeply rooted in American history. This individual, according to reports, attempted to swindle the Presley family out of their stake in this iconic landmark through an audacious scam.”
On a recent Friday, Findley – who is also recognized by other surnames such as Howell, Holden, and Sullins – was taken into custody for allegations of aggravated identity theft and mail fraud. If found guilty, she could be facing a minimum of two years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence stretching up to 20 years.
A 30-page accusation, submitted to a federal court in Tennessee, outlines the suspected fraud that took place across numerous states and used fake identities. According to the complaint, Findley falsified loan papers, placing forged signatures of Lisa Marie Presley and a notary on them. Subsequently, she is said to have filed creditor’s claims in Los Angeles Superior Court and published a foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper, announcing an auction of Graceland (among other fabricated documents), all as part of the alleged fraudulent activities.
“In exactly twenty days from now, I, as the owner of Naussany Investments, Kurt Naussay, will be moving forward with a public auction for the secured property known as Graceland. I’ve made numerous attempts to reach out and collaborate, but unfortunately, my efforts have not been reciprocated.”
About a month from then, Carolyn Williams, acting on Findley’s behalf, proposed another communication indicating they were ready to proceed with the auction should the settlement proposal be declined. According to the lawsuit, this was conveyed via email and it read, “The bidding will take place on May 23, 2024 from 10 am to 12 pm for the highest bidder.”
When a false investment company faced a lawsuit in Tennessee state court to halt the sale of an estate, Findley reportedly penned letters to the Presley family’s representatives and media outlets, denying any connection to the alleged scam while accusing Naussany (another supposed identity) as the culprit, according to prosecutors.
“She stated this as Williams: ‘I didn’t handle the loan, but I’ve known Lisa Marie Presley for years. I believe Greg Naussany was the one who processed the loan. However, Greg and I are no longer in partnership. If someone is filing paperwork now, they might need to check the documents again since I’ve moved on.'”
Prosecutors claim that Naussany later claimed the individual behind the scheme was a Nigerian identity thief.
Findley is slated to make her first court appearance on Friday to enter a plea.
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2024-08-16 21:56