Priscilla Presley Sues Business Associates for Financial Abuse

Priscilla Presley, the widow of music legend Elvis Presley, has filed a lawsuit against four former business associates, alleging financial elder abuse and fraud. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, claims the group conspired to steal over $1 million from Presley and manipulate her into signing contracts that benefited them financially.

The lawsuit specifically names Florida-based memorabilia auctioneer Brigitte Kruse as a key figure in the alleged scheme. It accuses Kruse, described as a "con-artist and pathological liar," of "fraudulently inducing" Presley into contracts that granted the defendants 80% of her income.

According to the complaint, the defendants, after gaining Presley's trust, isolated her from her close circle and convinced her that her former advisors were incompetent. They then proceeded to exploit her vulnerable state by charging her unnecessary fees, moving her accounts to their preferred banks, and even allegedly having her pay the mortgage for a home owned by Kruse's husband.

The lawsuit further alleges that the defendants sabotaged a potentially lucrative deal for Presley, replacing a possible ownership stake in a cosmetics company with a one-time payment that benefitted them.

In response to the lawsuit, Kruse and her legal team stated they had not yet been served with a copy of the filing and were unable to comment. However, Kruse previously filed a lawsuit against Presley in Florida alleging breach of contract, claiming Presley broke their business partnership after her daughter Lisa Marie Presley's death.

Presley's lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $1 million, as well as punitive damages and attorney's fees. She is also requesting the rescission of the "fraudulently-induced agreements" to regain control of her finances and obtain a detailed accounting of the defendants' alleged financial misconduct.

The lawsuit highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to financial exploitation and raises concerns about the potential for individuals with power and influence to take advantage of those in vulnerable positions. Presley's case underscores the importance of safeguarding the financial well-being of the elderly and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.