Federal prosecutors have reportedly charged Missouri resident Lisa Janine Findley with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft for allegedly trying to steal Graceland.
Police arrested Findlay on suspicion of trying to take over Elvis Presley's famous estate by falsely claiming that he had offered it as collateral for a loan that Lisa Marie Presley had not paid off before her death. TMZJust before Graceland was set to go up for auction, a judge stepped in and halted the proceedings. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Findlay's arrest on Friday, according to TMZ.
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – CIRCA 1957: Rock and roll singer Elvis Presley strolls the grounds of Graceland, circa 1957. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
The situation traces back to a company called Nowsunny Investments and Private Lending, which claims Lisa Marie defaulted on a $3.8 million loan. The company claimed that Lisa Marie had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan, but according to TMZ, Elvis's granddaughter, Riley Keough, has filed court documents alleging that the company's loan documents and information are fake and that the property was secured by illegal means.
“We believe this is not the last domino to fall, but the first,” an Elvis rep told TMZ.
“We do not believe this individual is the mastermind behind the fraud.”
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 12: Elvis Presley's living room at Graceland, photographed during Elvis Week on August 12, 2002 in Memphis, Tennessee. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Presley's death on August 16, 1977, and 75,000 fans are expected to attend the celebration of all things Elvis. Graceland is America's second most visited mansion after the White House. (Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
According to TMZ, they added that “statements made by the arrested woman suggest she is someone with loose ties to Elvis world.”
The FBI is involved in the case and has opened a criminal investigation into the attempted sale of Graceland.
Findlay is scheduled to appear in federal court in Missouri on Friday. (Related article: Priscilla Presley files lawsuit against former business associate for defrauding her of over $1 million: reports)
If convicted, she faces a minimum of two years in prison for the identity theft charge and up to 20 years in prison for the mail fraud charge, according to TMZ.
