The Tennessee Attorney General turned the investigation into the failed foreclosure of Elvis Presley’s Graceland estate to federal investigators, according to a spokesperson for the office.
“The Tennessee Attorney General’s Office looked into the Graceland matter, and it quickly became apparent that this was a matter best suited for federal law enforcement. We have faith in our federal partners and know they will handle this appropriately,” director of communications for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office Amy Lannom Wilhite said in a statement to ABC News.
In May, Tennessee AG Jonathan Skrmetti announced that his department would look into the attempt by an investment group to foreclose on Graceland.
Elvis Presley’s gravesite at Graceland in Memphis, Tenn., on Aug. 27, 2022. Graceland was Presley’s main residence.
Luke Barr/ABC News
Actress Riley Keough, Presley’s granddaughter, and daughter of Lisa Marie Presley, sued to stop a company calling itself “Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC” from auctioning off the Memphis estate visited by millions from around the world.
Keough alleges Naussany presented fraudulent documents last September “purporting to show that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million from the company and gave a deed of trust encumbering Graceland as security,” according to court documents obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN.
The sale had been scheduled for late May but was blocked by a judge, and the effort was ultimately dropped.
Exterior view of Elvis Presley’s house Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Gab Archive/Redferns via Getty Images
ABC News was not able to reach Naussany Investments. A spokesperson for the company previously declined to comment.
Skrmetti said in May lawyers from the AG’s office would look into the matter “and identify” what they could do to “protect both Elvis Presley’s heirs and anyone else who may be similarly threatened.”
“My office has fought fraud against homeowners for decades, and there is no home in Tennessee more beloved than Graceland,” Skrmetti said.
-ABC News’ Jared Kofsky contributed to this report.
The Tennessee Attorney General has recently referred a failed investigation into the foreclosure of Graceland, the iconic home of music legend Elvis Presley, to federal authorities. The investigation, which was conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), was unable to determine the cause of the foreclosure and the circumstances surrounding it.
Graceland, located in Memphis, Tennessee, has been a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of American music history for decades. The property was purchased by Elvis Presley in 1957 and has been owned by his estate since his death in 1977. However, in recent years, there have been concerns about the financial stability of the estate and the possibility of foreclosure.
The TBI launched an investigation into the foreclosure of Graceland after receiving complaints from concerned citizens and members of the Presley family. The investigation was meant to uncover any potential wrongdoing or fraud that may have led to the foreclosure. However, after months of investigation, the TBI was unable to find any concrete evidence of foul play.
In light of this, the Tennessee Attorney General has decided to refer the case to federal authorities for further investigation. It is unclear at this time which federal agency will be handling the case, but it is likely that the FBI or the Department of Justice will take over.
The referral to federal authorities has raised questions about the potential implications for the future of Graceland and the Presley estate. Many fans and supporters of Elvis Presley are concerned about the possibility of losing access to this historic landmark if the property is seized or sold off.
In response to these concerns, representatives from the Presley estate have stated that they are cooperating fully with the federal investigation and are confident that they will be able to resolve any issues that may arise. They have also reassured fans that Graceland will remain open to the public and will continue to honor the legacy of Elvis Presley for years to come.
Overall, the referral of the failed Graceland foreclosure investigation to federal authorities marks a significant development in this ongoing saga. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the federal investigation will be, but one thing is certain: the future of Graceland and the legacy of Elvis Presley are at stake. Fans around the world will be watching closely as this story unfolds.
