A Missouri woman has pleaded guilty to federal charges in connection to an elaborate scheme to fraudulently auction off Graceland, the legendary Memphis home of Elvis Presley, before a judge intervened to stop the sale.
A Brazen Fraud Attempt
During a federal court hearing in Memphis, Lisa Jeanine Findley, of Kimberling City, Missouri, pleaded guilty to mail fraud, admitting her role in the scheme. She had initially pleaded not guilty to a two-count indictment, which included a charge of aggravated identity theft—a charge that will now be dropped as part of her plea deal.
Findley is set to be sentenced on June 19. While the charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, her plea deal is expected to result in a lesser punishment.
When asked by the judge if she was accepting responsibility for the crime, Findley simply replied, “Yes.”
How the Scheme Unfolded
Prosecutors say Findley falsely claimed that Lisa Marie Presley—Elvis’ late daughter, who passed away in January 2023—had taken out a $3.8 million loan from a nonexistent private lender, using Graceland as collateral.
She then attempted to force Presley’s family to pay a $2.85 million settlement to stop the fake foreclosure sale, threatening to sell the property to the highest bidder if they didn’t comply.
Federal investigators uncovered the fraudulent claims, and in August 2024, Findley was formally charged.
Officials Celebrate Justice
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti praised law enforcement’s swift action, emphasizing the cultural and historical significance of Graceland.
“Graceland matters so much to so many people around the world – just go to Memphis during Elvis Week and listen to all the different accents and languages of fans who make the pilgrimage. All of Tennessee is glad that Graceland remains safely in the possession of Elvis’s heir and that it will remain a celebrated Memphis landmark for generations to come.”
The attempted sale sent shockwaves through the Elvis fan community, but the landmark remains securely in the hands of his family.