Priscilla Presley Faces $50 Million Lawsuit from Alleged Elder Abuse Partners: What You Need to Know

A month after a Florida judge decided that Priscilla Presley’s claims of financial elder abuse would take priority over a breach of contract lawsuit from last year, her former business partners are intensifying their legal battle against her.

On Monday, memorabilia dealer Brigitte Kruse and investor Kevin Fialko filed a new $50 million lawsuit in Beverly Hills, rehashing many allegations from the earlier Orlando case. This time, they claim Priscilla acted with selfish motives regarding the death of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. The suit also introduces Keya Morgan, Stan Lee’s former manager, as a co-defendant, accusing him of interfering in contracts.

One shocking claim in this new suit suggests that Priscilla rushed to control Lisa Marie’s medical care during a health crisis in January 2023, shortly before Lisa Marie’s death. The lawsuit cites an advanced health care directive that Lisa Marie signed, which indicated she wanted her life prolonged. It alleges that Priscilla disregarded this directive and made quick decisions about her daughter’s care.

Priscilla’s lawyer, Marty Singer, harshly criticized the lawsuit, calling it “shameful” and expressing disbelief that someone would accuse a grieving mother of such actions. He asserted these claims lack any validity and should be dismissed.

According to both lawsuits, Kruse and Fialko claim that after Lisa Marie’s passing, Priscilla cut ties with businesses they formed to manage her image and likeness. They contend they had invested significantly to support Priscilla financially, only to be rejected later.

Following Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla challenged a 2016 amendment to her daughter’s trust, which had removed her as a trustee. This change stripped her of control over Lisa Marie’s substantial assets, including the iconic Graceland estate.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn when Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough, reached a settlement with Priscilla. This deal included a $1 million payment from Lisa Marie’s life insurance policy and a new role for Priscilla as a “special advisor” to the trust.

Five months post-settlement, Priscilla faced a breach of contract lawsuit from Kruse and Fialko. She quickly sought to have that complaint dismissed but later filed her own allegations of financial elder abuse.

In her July 2024 claim, Priscilla stated she was manipulated and defrauded out of over $1 million through contracts that disproportionately favored Kruse. These contracts reportedly gave her very little control over her own brand.

In the recent judge’s ruling, the Florida case was paused to focus on the elder abuse claims, setting the stage for further legal exchanges. Kruse and Fialko’s attorney, Jordan Matthews, emphasized that they are eager to bring the truth to light and are determined to defend their case in court.

While Priscilla insists she was misled into the business agreements, Kruse and Fialko maintain that she fully understood the contracts she signed, citing video evidence from the signing event.

In this unfolding drama, public opinion is divided. Some express sympathy for Priscilla, while others stand by Kruse and Fialko. As the case continues to develop, it highlights the complexities of financial relationships and family dynamics, especially in the realm of fame and legacy.

For more on the impact of celebrity estates and intellectual property rights, you can read further studies from Harvard Law Review.

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