KANSAS CITY — A Missouri woman was arrested Friday morning on federal charges related to an alleged conspiracy to defraud Elvis Presley’s family of millions of dollars and steal the family’s ownership interest in Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home in Memphis, Tennessee, according to the U.S. Attorney.
Lisa Jeanine Findley, also known as Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, Gregory Naussany, Kurt Naussany, Lisa Jeanine Sullins and Carolyn Williams, 53, of Kimberling City, Missouri, was charged in a criminal complaint unsealed Friday after her arrest. Findley will make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri later Friday.
“As alleged in the complaint, the defendant engineered a fraudulent sale of Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley’s daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan that she was unable to repay before her death,” said Nicole M. Argentieri, Assistant Attorney General and Chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “As part of the brazen scheme, we allege that the defendant created numerous false documents and attempted to extort a settlement from the Presley family. Now she is facing trial in federal court. The Criminal Division and its partners are determined to hold fraudsters accountable.”
“As a resident of Memphis, I know that Graceland is a national treasure,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “This defendant allegedly engaged in a brazen scheme to defraud the Presley family of their share of this uniquely important landmark. Of course, all homeowners are entitled to have their property protected from fraud, and the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits financial crimes or identity theft.”
According to court documents, Findley allegedly posed as three different people associated with a fictitious private lender called Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC (Naussany Investments). Findley allegedly falsely claimed that Elvis Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from Naussany Investments in 2018, pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan, and failed to repay the debt.
To settle the alleged claim, Findley allegedly demanded $2.85 million from Elvis Presley’s family. Findley allegedly forged loan documents and forged the signatures of Elvis Presley’s daughter and a Florida state notary public.
Findley is alleged to have subsequently filed a false creditor claim with the Superior Court of California in Los Angeles and executed a forged deed of trust with the Shelby County Register’s Office in Memphis. Findley is also alleged to have published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in The Commercial Appeal, a Memphis newspaper, announcing that Naussany Investments would auction Graceland to the highest bidder on May 23. When Naussany Investments was eventually sued by Elvis Presley’s family in Tennessee state court to prevent the sale of Graceland, Findley is alleged to have filed false court documents.
After the plot received worldwide media attention, Findley reportedly wrote to representatives of Elvis Presley’s family, the Tennessee State Supreme Court, and the media, falsely claiming that a Nigerian identity thief based in Nigeria was behind the plot.
“Fame and money attract criminals who want to capitalize on another person’s celebrity status,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the Criminal Investigations Group of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
“In this case, Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic events in the Presley family to exploit the name and financial situation of the heirs to the Graceland estate and to attempt to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her personal gain.
Postal inspectors and their law enforcement partners put an end to their alleged plot and protected the Presley family from further harm and stress. This is an example of our tireless investigative work and commitment to bringing criminals to justice for their illegal activities.”
“Today’s announcement of the charges and police actions demonstrates our comprehensive approach to investigating allegations of identity theft and mail fraud that can affect people from all walks of life,” said Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI’s Memphis Field Office. “We will continue to vigorously pursue cases against individuals in the United States and abroad who steal an identity and use fraud for their personal gain.”
Findley is charged with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud.
USPIS and the FBI Memphis Field Office are investigating the case with significant assistance from the FBI Kansas City Field Office.
Deputy Chief of Police Cory E. Jacobs and Trial Attorney Christopher Fenton of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carroll L. André III for the Western District of Tennessee are prosecuting the case with significant assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri.
