Full Breakdown
Missouri Woman Sentenced for Attempted Fraud of Graceland
9/24/2025, 10:13:52 PM
Scheme to Defraud the Presley Family
Lisa Jeanine Findley, a 54-year-old woman from Kimberling City, Missouri, has been sentenced to four years and nine months in federal prison for her role in a fraudulent scheme aimed at selling Graceland, the iconic estate of Elvis Presley. U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr. delivered the sentence on September 23, 2025, following Findley's guilty plea to mail fraud earlier in the year. The charge of aggravated identity theft was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Findley orchestrated a complex plot that falsely claimed Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis's daughter, had borrowed $3.8 million from a fictitious private lender named Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC, using Graceland as collateral. Prosecutors revealed that Findley threatened to auction the estate unless the Presley family paid a $2.85 million settlement. The scheme involved the creation of fake loan documents, forged signatures, and the publication of a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper, which announced an auction scheduled for May 2024.
Legal Proceedings and Family Response
The fraudulent sale was halted when Riley Keough, Lisa Marie's daughter, filed a lawsuit claiming the sale was based on forged documents. A Tennessee judge subsequently blocked the auction, citing the dubious nature of the documents presented by Findley. The court found that the notary listed on the documents had never met Lisa Marie Presley, further undermining the legitimacy of the claims.
During the sentencing, Judge Fowlkes characterized Findley's actions as a "highly sophisticated scheme to defraud," emphasizing the potential consequences had the auction proceeded. He noted that it would have been a "travesty of justice" if the sale had been completed.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the sentencing, prosecutors highlighted the elaborate nature of Findley's scheme, which included posing as multiple individuals and fabricating identities. Findley attempted to deflect blame by claiming that a Nigerian fraud ring was responsible for the scheme, a narrative that prosecutors dismissed as an effort to evade accountability.
Defense attorney Tyrone Paylor argued for a lenient sentence, stating that the Presley estate did not suffer any financial loss and that the scheme lacked a realistic chance of success. However, the judge disagreed, reinforcing the seriousness of the attempted fraud.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Findley's actions have expressed disbelief at the audacity of her scheme, particularly given the historical significance of Graceland, which serves as a museum and attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Experts have noted the implausibility of successfully selling such a well-known property using fraudulent means.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This was a highly sophisticated scheme to defraud,” — Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.
- “Fowlkes, the judge, said it would have been a “travesty of justice” if the sale had been completed.” — Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr.
What's Next
Following her sentencing, Findley will serve three years of supervised release after her prison term. She is also required to undergo mental health counseling and behavior therapy during her supervised release. The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in property ownership and the potential for fraud, particularly involving high-profile estates.
