Missouri woman allegedly stole Elvis' Graceland home and cheated Presley's family

(Kansas City, MO) – A Missouri woman has been arrested on federal charges in connection with a plot to extort millions of dollars from the estate of Elvis Presley and steal Graceland from the Presley family.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the alleged plot involved an attempt to seize the Presley family's ownership interest in Graceland, the late music star's home in Memphis, Tennessee. Graceland is a major tourist attraction.

According to court documents, the 53-year-old Branson-area woman falsely claimed that Elvis' daughter, the late Lisa Marie Presley, borrowed $3.8 million, used Graceland as collateral and failed to repay the debt. The Kimberling City woman is also accused of publishing a false foreclosure notice and attempting to hold a public auction to sell Graceland.

The suspect is known by seven different names.

“As a resident of Memphis, I know that Graceland is a national treasure,” said U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz for the Western District of Tennessee. “This defendant allegedly engaged in a brazen scheme to defraud the Presley family of their share of this uniquely important landmark. Of course, all homeowners are entitled to have their property protected from fraud, and the Department of Justice will vigorously prosecute anyone who commits financial crimes or identity theft.”

After the plot received worldwide media attention, Findley reportedly wrote to representatives of Elvis Presley's family, the Tennessee State Supreme Court, and the media, falsely claiming that a Nigerian identity thief based in Nigeria was behind the plot.

“Fame and money attract criminals who seek to capitalize on another person's celebrity status,” said Inspector in Charge Eric Shen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Criminal Investigations Group. “In this case, Ms. Findley allegedly took advantage of the very public and tragic events in the Presley family to exploit the name and financial status of the heirs to the Graceland estate and attempt to steal what rightfully belongs to the Presley family for her own personal gain. Postal inspectors and their law enforcement partners put a stop to her alleged plot and protected the Presley family from further harm and stress. This is an example of our tireless investigative work and commitment to bringing criminals to justice for their illegal activities.”

Findley is charged with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, she faces a minimum of two years in prison for aggravated identity theft and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for mail fraud.

The FBI's Kansas City field office is assisting in the case.

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