WASHINGTON – A Missouri woman was arrested this morning on federal charges related to an alleged scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family of millions of dollars and to steal their ownership interest in Graceland, the historic home of Elvis Presley, located in Memphis, Tennessee.
Lisa Jeanine Findley, also known by several aliases including Lisa Holden, Lisa Howell, and Gregory Naussany, was charged following her arrest. Findley, 53, of Kimberling City, Missouri, faces charges detailed in a criminal complaint unsealed today. She will make her initial appearance later today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
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Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, stated, “As alleged in the complaint, 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. 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. Now she is facing federal charges. The Criminal Division and its partners are committed to holding fraudsters to account.”
U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee added, “As a Memphian, I know that Graceland is a national treasure. This defendant allegedly used a brazen scheme to try to defraud the Presley family of their interest in this singularly important landmark. Of course, all homeowners deserve 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 individuals associated with a fictitious private lender named Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC (Naussany Investments). She allegedly claimed that Elvis Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million in 2018 from Naussany Investments, pledged Graceland as collateral, and failed to repay the debt. To settle the purported claim, Findley sought $2.85 million from Elvis Presley’s family. She allegedly fabricated loan documents, forged signatures, and filed false claims and deeds to support her scheme.
The scheme gained global media attention, and Findley allegedly attempted to divert blame by claiming that a Nigerian identity thief was responsible.
Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group remarked, “Fame and money are magnets for criminals who look to capitalize on another person’s celebrity status. 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.”
Special Agent in Charge Joseph E. Carrico of the FBI Memphis Field Office stated, “Today’s announcement of charges and law enforcement action shows our broad approach to investigating allegations of identity theft and mail fraud, which can affect people from all walks of life. We will continue to vigorously pursue cases against individuals, in the United States and abroad, who would steal an identity and use fraud to benefit themselves personally.”
Findley faces charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft and up to 20 years for mail fraud.
The USPIS and the FBI Memphis Field Office are investigating the case with assistance from the FBI Kansas City Field Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Chief 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.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Read Original Release
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