Elvis Presley’s granddaughter sues to save Graceland from “fraudulent” auction – National & International News – TUE 21May2024

Elvis’ granddaughter sues to save Graceland from “fraudulent” auction.

Hush-money trial: Defense rests with no testimony from Trump.

Elvis’ granddaughter sues to save Graceland from “fraudulent” auction

Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough has sued to halt a “fraudulent” scheme to auction off Graceland this Thursday. An injunction hearing will take place on Wednesday in Shelby County Chancery Court.

Each year, over 600,000 fans visit Graceland, bringing about $150 million in tourist dollars to Memphis. Keough inherited Graceland from her mother Lisa Marie Presley, who died last year. Graceland is run by Elvis Presley Enterprises on behalf of Promenade Trust, which manages the entirety of Presley’s estate.

Earlier this month, a notice of sale for the 12-acre estate was posted in the Commercial Appeal by Naussany Investments. The company sued in September 2023, claiming that Lisa Marie had put up the estate as collateral on a 2018 loan of $3.8 million, which has not been repaid.

Ms. Keough’s attorneys claim this is all a scam. “Lisa Maria Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments,” their filing said. The filing also says that the notary on Naussany’s paperwork never met Lisa Marie Presley and did not notarize the agreement. Keough asserts that her late mother’s signatures were forged.

The lawsuit also claims that, “Naussany Investments & Lending LLC appears to be a false entity created for the purpose of defrauding … the heirs of Lisa Marie Presley”. Addresses for the company in Florida and Missouri are post offices.

Jeff Germany, one of Keough’s lawyers, told Memphis-Fox13 that he will present his case in court tomorrow. He added, “if anyone shows up on the other side, we’ll respond to anything they assert”.

In a statement, Elvis Presley Enterprises called Naussany’s claims “fraudulent. There is no foreclosure sale. Simply put, the counter lawsuit has been filed is to stop the fraud”. 

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Hush-money trial: Defense rests with no testimony from Trump

After just one-and-a-half days of testimony, the defense for former Pres. Trump has rested in the hush-money trial in New York. Trump chose not to take the stand in his own defense. He has claimed publicly that the gag order placed on him by Judge Juan Merchan prevented him from testifying. Judge Merchan reiterated today that the gag order only barred Trump from making disparaging public statements about witnesses, and that he was free to testify if he had so chosen. 

The prosecution rested yesterday after four days of testimony from Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen. Cohen is the key witness who ties Donald Trump’s alleged affair with former porn star Stormy Daniels to fraudulent business entries made in 2016 to cover hush-money payments to Daniels.

During his testimony, Cohen described his work for Trump during the 2016 campaign as a “fixer” who would help bury unfavorable stories about Trump. In particular, Cohen said, Trump was very concerned with keeping sexual allegations from different women out of the press.

When Daniels initially came forward just a few weeks ahead of the 2016 election, Cohen says, Trump authorized Cohen to “take care of it”. Cohen paid Daniels $130,000, for which he was reimbursed through the Trump Organization. Those reimbursements were recorded as “legal services,” which makes them fraudulent. Cohen testified that Trump was aware of this method of repayment and approved.

Court will adjourn until next Tuesday when the jury will hear closing arguments. Marchan will then give jury instructions on Wednesday and the jury will begin deliberating.

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