Missouri Woman Sentenced for Bold but Clumsy Attempt to Steal Graceland: A Shocking Tale of Ambition and Folly

A woman from Missouri faced over four years in prison for a wild scheme to steal Graceland, Elvis Presley’s famous estate. Lisa Jeanine Findley, 54, tried to pose as an investor to make her claim. Graceland attracts over 500,000 visitors each year, and Elvis lived there until his death in 1977.

The drama unfolded nearly two years ago. Findley, using the name Kurt Naussany, sent emails to Riley Keough, Elvis’ granddaughter, claiming that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million against Graceland. She even forged documents to back her story, falsely asserting that there would be a foreclosure sale.

When Riley realized it was a scam, she took legal action to stop the foreclosure. A judge quickly ruled in her favor. After the scheme fell apart, Findley kept sending bizarre emails to journalists, pretending the plot was orchestrated by West African identity thieves.

NBC News began investigating and connected Findley to a series of local disputes. With a history of scams, she was known for romance frauds and financial tricks. Originating from Oklahoma, she had recently moved to Missouri, where she used various aliases to threaten local business owners.

In June 2024, Findley was confronted by an NBC reporter and claimed she was innocent, saying someone stole her identity. But just two months later, she was arrested for mail fraud and identity theft related to the Graceland case. By February 2025, she agreed to a plea deal, admitting to mail fraud while dropping the identity theft charge.

Findley’s defense argued for leniency, stating she never profited from her plot. However, prosecutors noted that she only backed down when caught and accused an “illegal” from Belize of the scheme.

This case highlights a troubling trend in financial scams, particularly against public figures. In recent years, fraud attempts against celebrities have surged, leading to a growing need for security. According to a 2021 report from the Federal Trade Commission, more than 4.7 million reports of fraud were filed that year, amounting to over $5.8 billion in losses.

Experiencing such outrageous plots sparks social media reactions, with users expressing both disbelief and humor. Memes and posts about Findley’s antics have circulated, showcasing how the bizarre often captures public interest.

For more on celebrity-related scams, the Federal Trade Commission provides insights and resources that can help identify and prevent fraud.



Source link