Priscilla Presley is facing a lawsuit from her former business partners, Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko. They claim she committed fraud and breached their contract by hiding that she had sold the rights to her name and brand decades ago. They argue that this deceit left their business facing substantial financial losses.
Filed in California, the lawsuit seeks at least $50 million. Kruse and Fialko allege they got caught in a power struggle over Priscilla’s family trust. They suggest Priscilla manipulated events regarding her late daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, to regain control over the estate.
Lisa Marie was hospitalized in early 2023 due to a cardiac arrest. The lawsuit states that Priscilla withdrew vital medical treatment knowing her daughter was planning to change the trust leadership. The complaint highlights a chilling statement from Priscilla after Lisa’s death: “I’m the queen. I’m in charge of Graceland.”
After Lisa’s passing, Priscilla contested a trust amendment that removed her as a trustee, placing Lisa’s children, Riley Keough and the late Benjamin Keough, in charge instead. The legal battle has intensified since then.
Additionally, Kruse and Fialko claim they negotiated a $2.4 million settlement with Priscilla to resolve the ongoing disputes. Tensions rose when Keya Morgan, known for his former ties to Stan Lee, approached Priscilla about reclaiming her branding rights from Elvis Presley Enterprises. This partnership later soured, leading to mutual accusations of coercion and elder abuse.
Priscilla reportedly undermined her former partners by using her rights for personal projects without sharing profits. Notably, she was later seen at high-profile events promoting Graceland while sidelining Kruse and Fialko, even excluding them from the premiere of Sofia Coppola’s upcoming film about her life.
Supporters for Kruse and Fialko contend that their evidence proves no coercion or exploitation took place, framing the situation as a betrayal against those who invested in Priscilla’s brand.
A lawyer for Priscilla has yet to respond to these allegations. Meanwhile, Kruse and Fialko had previously accused Priscilla of breaching a contract related to a film about her memoir, stating she turned her back on their agreement at a critical financial time for her.
This legal battle not only highlights the complexities of celebrity estates but also shines a light on the personal relationships that can unravel when money and power are at stake. As the situation unfolds, it raises a broader question about trust and loyalty in business partnerships, especially in high-profile cases.
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Priscilla Presley
