Elvis Presley: Woman charged over scheme to steal Graceland
August 17, 2024
Authorities said a woman forged documents to claim that Elvis Presley's late daughter used Graceland as collateral for a loan. Officials said she took advantage of the family's "very public and tragic occurrences."
Graceland, once the home of Elvis Presley, is now a tourist attractionImage: MANDEL NGAN/AFP
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A woman has been arrested over a "brazen scheme" to steal the Graceland mansion that once belonged to Elvis Presley.
A 53-year-old woman form Missouri faces federal mail fraud and identity theft charges after she allegedly tried to extort the Presley family over the property, the US Justice Department said on Friday.
"The defendant orchestrated a scheme to conduct a fraudulent sale of Graceland, falsely claiming that Elvis Presley's daughter had pledged the historic landmark as collateral for a loan that she failed to repay before her death," Nicole Argentieri, head of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, said in a statement.
"As part of the brazen scheme, we allege that the defendant created numerous false documents and sought to extort a settlement from the Presley family."
How did the fraudulent scheme work?
According to court documents, Findley claimed that the rock 'n' roll legend's daughter Lisa Marie Presley borrowed $3.8 million (€3.4 million) from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral before she died last year.
"Findley allegedly fabricated loan documents on which Findley forged the signatures of Elvis Presley's daughter and a Florida State notary public," the Justice Department said.
The woman allegedly threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley's family didn't pay a $2.85 million (€2.58 million) settlement. A foreclosure sale had been scheduled for May but a Tennessee judge ultimately blocked the auction after the singer's granddaughter who currently owns the mansion, actor Riley Keough, filed a lawsuit claiming the documents were forged.
"Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic occurrences in the Presley family as an opportunity to prey on the name and financial status of the heirs to the Graceland estate, attempting to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her personal gain," said Eric Shen, inspector in charge of the US Postal Inspection Service Criminal Investigations Group.
When the plan fell apart, Findley allegedly tried to blame the ordeal on Nigerian identity thieves.
Elvis lived in Graceland until hjis death in 1977. The property was made into a tourist attraction in 1982 and now draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The property remains in the Presley family.
45 years after his death, Elvis reaches fans from beyond the grave
The King lives on in the hearts and minds of fans worldwide. Also in Germany, where he was stationed as a GI, Elvis left a legacy. Here are some highlights and unusual facts from his storied musical career.
Image: dpa/picture alliance
From small-town boy to household name
Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis Presley began his career in Memphis, Tennessee. He is pictured here in 1954 while recording at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, which also helped launch blues guitarist B.B. King's career. Quickly rising to fame, Presley's first hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," propelled him into stardom in 1956. He would go on to become known as the "king of rock and roll."
Image: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS
A GI in Germany
Presley put his career on hold while serving in the US military in Germany from 1958 to 1960. Stationed in the small town of Friedberg, Presley stayed in a hotel in nearby Bad Nauheim instead of living in the barracks. There, he lived with an entourage: his grandmother, father and two bodyguards. Today, hotel guests can sleep in the Elvis Room, which was preserved to commemorate the King's stay.
Image: Bodo Marks/dpa/picture alliance
Made in Germany
Although he was prohibited from performing during military service, the King still found time to make music. Germany was the birthplace of two chart-toppers: "One Night" and "A Fool Such as I." He also gave global fame to the popular German folk song, "Muss i denn zum Städtele hinaus," or in English, "Wooden Heart."
Image: United Archives/picture alliance
Happily ever after?
While Elvis was stationed in Germany, he also met Priscilla Beaulieu, the daughter of a US military officer. She was just 14 years old at the time. The couple married years later at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas in 1967, although Elvis reportedly continued to enjoy the company of other women.
Image: Bert Reisfeld/dpa/picture alliance
Profiting after death
Elvis passed away at his residence, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. Graceland is the second-most-visited home historical residence in the US, after the White House. It's run by a multi-million dollar company called Elvis Presley Enterprises — making it unsurprising that Elvis regularly hits the top of Forbes' annual "Top-Earning Dead Celebrities" list.
Image: Jerzy Dabrowski/dpa/picture alliance
The King lives on
His legacy is honored all over the world, including at the "European Elvis Festival" in Bad Nauheim, Germany. Elvis also has official fan clubs in at least 38 countries. And of course, "The King" graces stamps as well: Germany issued an Elvis stamp in 1988.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/EPA/T. Maury
License to suit up
Legend has it that Elvis adopted the jumpsuit after he split his pants while performing on stage. Whatever the reason, the garment was an instant hit. B&K, a company in Charlestown, Indiana, creates Elvis jumpsuits based on the originals, such as for impersonator Dave Stovall (pictured). The company also created suits for the 2022 film "Elvis."
Image: Brian Cahn/Zumapress/picture alliance
Inspiration from Hollywood
Elvis has inspired an entire industry of impersonators, as well as films like "Bye Bye, Birdie" (1967), based on his career. But who inspired the King? Elvis was known to enjoy the music of gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, and once called actor James Dean (pictured) a "genius."
Image: akg-images/picture-alliance
Inspiration for Hollywood
June 2022 saw the life story of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler (pictured), hit movie theaters. The film focuses on the complicated relationship with his shady manager, Colonel Tom Parker (played by Tom Hanks). Director Baz Luhrmann set electrifying music and stage scenes; and Butler has been celebrated for his fantastic portrayal of "The King."
