Graceland Grit: Missouri Woman Busted for Elvis Fraud Scheme After Pleading Guilty
Well, folks, it looks like some people will go to any lengths to make a quick buck—even if it means trying to sell the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s iconic mansion, Graceland! Lisa Jeanine Findley, a 54-year-old from Kimberling City, Missouri, has officially pleaded guilty to mail fraud related to an outlandish scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family out of the beloved property. Sure, we’ve seen some wild attempts to cash in on Elvis’s legacy, but this one takes the cake—or should we say, the blue suede shoes?
Findley found herself at the center of a federal case after claiming that Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie Presley (R.I.P.), had used Graceland as collateral for a $3.8 million loan—allegedly unpaid before her death. In a twist straight out of a bad crime drama, Findley concocted an intricate web of false documents to back up her claims, even going so far as to forge signatures and file a bogus creditor’s claim in California. And what was her endgame, you ask? A cool $2.85 million from the Presley family to settle her fictitious debts. A little too ambitious? Definitely.
The authorities brought down the gavel on Findley’s scheme back in August 2024 when she was arrested, but before that, she had a whole multi-name persona going on, operating under various aliases like Lisa Holden and Carolyn Williams. With her guilty plea made in Memphis on February 25, it’s time to face the music; she is set to be sentenced on June 18. While the maximum sentence could rack up to 20 years, insiders say she’ll likely strike a deal leading to a lighter sentence.
This saga just goes to show how fiercely the Presley legacy is protected, with U.S. Attorney Kevin Ritz labeling Graceland as a “national treasure” that will not be lost to fraudsters. So, let’s raise a glass to justice served—although this shady business is bound to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Elvis fans everywhere. For more details, check out the original coverage in People Magazine and keep following this jaw-dropping story as it unfolds!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Associated Press, NBC News
