A woman from Missouri with a history of minor scams and fraud was arrested on federal charges related to an alleged scheme aimed at extorting millions from Elvis Presley’s family and claiming ownership of his iconic Memphis estate, Graceland. Authorities announced the arrest of Lisa Jeanine Findley, known by multiple aliases including Lisa Holden, on charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Findley, 53, had her initial court appearance on Friday afternoon before Magistrate Judge David Rush at the United States Courthouse in Springfield, Missouri. During the brief seven-minute hearing, she was appointed a public defender, opted to waive her rights to a preliminary or detention hearing, and consented to have the hearings moved to the Western District of Tennessee, where she was ordered to be detained.
According to prosecutors, Findley is accused of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme involving the sale of Graceland. NBC News first reported in June about her supposed connections to the plot, including the use of false identities and various deceptive contacts that linked her to the operation.
Witnesses described a dramatic scene at Findley’s home in Kimberling City during the arrest, where around 15 law enforcement officers executed a warrant. An attorney listed for Findley did not respond to requests for commentary on the situation. In a prior June interview outside her residence, Findley denied any involvement in or knowledge of a scam related to Graceland. However, the online accounts associated with her were deleted shortly after that interview.
The scheme gained public attention in May when an unrecognizable company named Naussany Investments filed a legal claim asserting that Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis’ daughter who passed away in January 2023, owed significant unpaid loans. When the Presley family did not respond to the claim, Naussany Investments sought to force the foreclosure of Graceland to recover their alleged debts. A Tennessee judge dismissed the case after finding the submitted documents were likely forged.
NBC News traced connections between Findley and the Graceland scheme in a June investigation, revealing a web of fake online identities, fabricated emails, and improper loan documentation initiated by Findley. A former acquaintance who testified in front of a grand jury mentioned that Findley spoke of a lucrative deal involving Presley’s estate.
The charging documents reveal that Findley created bogus loan agreements by forging signatures and notary seals. Additionally, investigators uncovered that Findley contacted the Shelby County Register’s Office, where the fraudulent Graceland deed was filed, and used disposable email accounts to facilitate the foreclosure notices. It was also discovered that the bank account numbers provided for payments were linked to Findley’s own checking account.