Woman Admits to attempting to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off Graceland
In a shocking turn of events, a woman named Lisa Jeanine Findley has confessed to attempting to defraud the family of Elvis Presley by trying to auction off his iconic Graceland mansion and property. Initially, Findley had denied charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft related to the scheme. However, she has now changed her plea in a two-count indictment. The case involves a complex web of deceit, fabricated documents, and a bogus foreclosure sale that was halted by a judge before it could proceed. The story has left experts and fans alike baffled, as Graceland is one of the most recognizable and culturally significant properties in the world.
Prosecutors revealed that Findley, a resident of Kimberling City, Missouri, falsely claimed that Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’s daughter, had borrowed $3.8 million from a fake private lender before her death in January 2023. According to the bogus story, Lisa Marie had allegedly pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan. Findley then threatened to sell the property to the highest bidder unless the Presley family paid a $2.85 million settlement. To carry out the scheme, she posed as three different people associated with the fake lender, fabricated loan documents, and even published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper, announcing the auction of Graceland in May 2024.
The plot took a dramatic turn when Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s daughter and Elvis’s granddaughter, stepped in to stop the sale. Keough, who inherited ownership of Graceland after her mother’s death, filed a lawsuit alleging fraud against Findley. A judge promptly issued an injunction, halting the proposed auction. The case has since unraveled, exposing the elaborate lies and fabricated documents that Findley used to try to deceive the Presley family and the public.
Graceland, which opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982, holds immense cultural and historical significance. It is a major draw for Elvis fans worldwide, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Across the street from the mansion stands a large Presley-themed entertainment complex, owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Elvis himself, the "King of Rock and Roll," passed away in August 1977 at the age of 42, but his legacy lives on through his music, memorabilia, and, of course, Graceland.
In an effort to cover her tracks, Findley allegedly attempted to shift the blame onto a Nigerian identity thief after her scheme fell apart. Prosecutors revealed that she sent an email in May 2024 to the Associated Press, falsely claiming that the foreclosure sale had been orchestrated by a Nigerian fraud ring targeting elderly and deceased individuals in the U.S. The email, written in Spanish, aimed to divert attention away from her own role in the fraudulent scheme.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has praised the efforts of federal authorities in bringing Findley to justice, calling the scheme "nonsense" and emphasizing the importance of protecting Graceland for future generations. "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," Skrmetti said. Findley is set to be sentenced on June 18, 2024, and while she could have faced up to 20 years in prison if convicted, she is expected to receive a lighter sentence under the terms of her plea deal.
This bizarre and audacious attempt to defraud one of the most famous families in American history serves as a reminder of the lengths to which some individuals will go to exploit others for financial gain. Graceland, a symbol of Elvis’s enduring legacy, remains safe, thanks to the quick action of his family and authorities. As fans around the world continue to cherish the property as a piece of music history, the case also underscores the importance of vigilance and the rule of law in protecting cultural treasures.
