A Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge in Plot to Sell Graceland
Missouri Woman Concocted Brazen Scheme to Defraud Elvis Presley’s Family
A Missouri woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal charge accusing her of concocting a brazen plot to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion and property before a judge halted the mysterious foreclosure sale.
Lisa Jeanine Findley Pleads Guilty to Mail Fraud
During a hearing in front of a Memphis federal judge, Lisa Jeanine Findley pleaded guilty to a charge of mail fraud related to the scheme. She previously pleaded not guilty to the two-count indictment, which also includes a count of aggravated identity theft that will now be dropped.
Judge Questions Findley’s Guilty Plea
When asked by the judge if Findley was admitting guilt and accepting responsibility, she said “Yes.”
Sentencing Scheduled for June 18
Findley will be sentenced on June 18. She would have faced up to 20 years if convicted, but she is expected to receive less than that under the plea deal.
The Scheme
Findley, of Kimberling City, falsely claimed Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan before her death in January 2023. She then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family didn’t pay a $2.85 million settlement, according to authorities.
Findley’s Ploy
Findley posed as three different people allegedly involved with the fake lender, fabricated loan documents, and published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper announcing the auction of Graceland in May 2024. A judge stopped the sale after Presley’s granddaughter sued.
Experts Baffled by Attempt to Sell Graceland
Experts were baffled by the attempt to sell off one of the most storied pieces of real estate in the country using names, emails, and documents that were quickly suspected to be phony.
Graceland’s Significance
Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982 and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. A large Presley-themed entertainment complex across the street from the museum is owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises. Presley died in August 1977, at the age of 42.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What did Findley do?
A: Findley pleaded guilty to a federal charge of mail fraud related to a scheme to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion and property.
Q: What was the scheme?
A: Findley claimed that Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan before her death in January 2023.
Q: What happened to the attempted sale of Graceland?
A: A judge halted the sale after Presley’s granddaughter sued, and Findley was charged with a federal crime.
Q: What is the significance of Graceland?
A: Graceland is one of the most storied pieces of real estate in the country, and it is a major tourist attraction and cultural landmark.
