Memphis, Tenn. (AP) — Elvis Presley’s estate is fighting what it calls a fraudulent scheme to sell Graceland at a high price.
An auction was scheduled for Thursday this week, but a Memphis judge blocked it after Presley’s granddaughter. Riley Keough A lawsuit was filed seeking a temporary restraining order, court documents show.
A public notice was issued in May for the foreclosure sale of the 13-acre estate in Memphis, which the Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland Museum, owes $3.8 million after defaulting on a 2018 loan. Keefe, an actor, inherited the trust and ownership of the house after his mother’s death. Lisa Marie PresleyLast year.
Naussany Investments and Private Lending said Lisa Marie Presley used Graceland as collateral for the loan, according to the foreclosure sale notice. Keefe filed the lawsuit last week on behalf of the Promenade Foundation, alleging Nausani submitted fraudulent documents related to the loan in September 2023.
“Lisa Maria Presley never took out a loan from Nausani Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Nausani Investments,” Keef’s attorney wrote in a lawsuit.
Kimberly Philbrick, the notary listed on the documents, indicated that she had never met Lisa Marie Presley or notarized any documents for her, court filings said. The Associated Press sent a text message to Philbrick at numbers believed to be hers, but he did not immediately respond.
W. Bradley Russell, Keough’s attorney, declined comment Tuesday.
Kurt Nausani, identified as the defendant in court documents, directed questions by email to Gregory Nausani. Gregory Naussany told the AP in an email: “Attorneys may comment!” Court records do not show an attorney for the company.
Court documents included addresses for the businesses in Jacksonville, Florida and Hollister, Missouri. Both are for post offices. A Kimberling City, Missouri, reference to a post office box.
A restraining order hearing is scheduled for Wednesday in Shelby County Chancery Court.
“Elvis Presley Enterprises can confirm that these claims are fraudulent. There is no foreclosure. Simply put, the countersuit has been filed to prevent fraud. Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. said in a statement on Tuesday.
Graceland opened as a museum and tourist attraction in 1982 as a tribute to singer and actor Elvis Presley, who died in August 1977 at the age of 42. It attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Across the street from the museum is a large Presley-themed entertainment complex owned by Elvis Presley Enterprises.
Tim Marshall, from Queensland, Australia, arrived at the gates of Graceland on Tuesday as part of a week-long US tour with his partner. Marshall, 54, said he heard the news about Graceland’s proposed sale.
“I was surprised,” Marshall said. “We don’t know enough about it. I don’t think it’s good if they lose it.
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Associated Press reporters Sarah Brumfield in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Heather Hollingsworth in Mission, Kansas, contributed to this story.
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This story has been corrected to reflect that Russell Nausani Investments is Keefe’s attorney.
