This photo taken on March 13, 2017, shows visitors preparing for a tour of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
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Beth J. Harpaz/Associated Press
A Missouri woman was arrested Friday on suspicion of trying to defraud Elvis Presley’s estate of millions of dollars and steal ownership of the famed Graceland estate in Memphis.
The case gained national attention earlier this year when Presley’s granddaughter, actress Danielle Riley Keough, came forward. File a lawsuit against the alleged scammer.Lisa Janine Findley, to prevent the foreclosure sale on the complex.
American singer and film star Elvis Presley in 1975. Died August 16, 1977.
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“As claimed In the complaint“The defendant orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently sell Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan she failed to repay prior to her death,” said Assistant Deputy Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri.
“As part of this brazen scheme, we allege the defendant forged numerous documents and sought to extort a settlement from the Presley family. She now faces federal charges.”
The complaint says Findley, 53, of Kimberling, Missouri, impersonated three different individuals to pass herself off as a nonexistent private lending company, Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC.
Findley alleged that Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, had defaulted on a $3.8 million loan, sought $2.85 million from the family and forged documents, including a fraudulent trust deed.
When details of the scheme came to light, according to the complaint, Findley wrote to Presley’s family and the court, claiming the real conman was a Nigerian identity thief.
“Ms. Findley allegedly used the very public and tragic events in the Presley family as an opportunity to prey on the name and financial standing of the heirs of Graceland Estate, and to attempt to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her own personal gain,” said Eric Chen, inspector in charge of the USPS Criminal Investigations Group.
Findley was scheduled to make his initial appearance Friday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
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