Priscilla Presley Slams Ex Associates For $1 Million Fraud In New Lawsuit
By Afouda Bamidele on July 18, 2024 at 3:33 PM EDT
Updated on July 18, 2024 at 3:57 PM EDT
Priscilla Presley is not letting any shady business around her slide!
The late Elvis Presley's ex-wife has dragged several former business partners to court over allegations of financial mismanagement.
Priscilla Presley claimed she was ripped off about $1 million in her lawsuit by a character whom she described as a pathological liar despite their lengthy relationship.
Priscilla Presley Is Back In Court Over Fraud Scandal
Presley, who filed the lawsuit via her lawyer Marty Singer on Thursday, claimed that a woman named Brigitte Kruse, who became her business associate in 2021, has teamed up with several other business partners to steal about $1 million from her.
She described Kruse as a “con artist and a pathological liar” who cunningly took control of PP’s finances and forced her into a “form of indentured servitude,” as she demanded that the court void her contract with Kruse and other defendants.
The star continued in her petition that Brigitte operated a business selling Elvis’s memorabilia through an auction house in 2021, and this gave her the opportunity to get close to her and finesse her of her wealth.
Per TMZ, Presley disclosed that Kruse manipulated her to believe that her former financial advisors were dishonest or incompetent, all while luring her into signing shady contracts and creating companies that gave Kruse and her associates 80% of her income.
She added that the group gave her minority shares in the companies and continued to make money off her name, image, and likeness, referring to her famous biopic “Priscilla,” which made waves last year and whose profits were also mismanaged.
The Author Claimed Kruse Messed Up Lucrative Deals
Kruse’s cup of crimes with Presley was apparently filled to the brim, as the actress continued that she and her ex-business partners ruined a deal that would have given her an ownership interest in a cosmetic company.
She claimed that Kruse and her cohorts rather selfishly settled for a paltry $300k upfront payment, which was also redirected into their personal pockets.
Kruse also allegedly stole smaller amounts from an account Priscilla opened for her son Navarone behind her back and charged her for moving and storage expenses.
Even the late Lisa Marie Presley was not spared from Kruse’s antics, as Presley revealed that she tried to make arrangements and deals relating to her late daughter’s estate after her painful death.
Presley and Kruse have had legal tussles before, with the latter suing the businesswoman for breach of contract after she came in to rescue her from insolvency in 2022 and Presley suddenly cutting her off last year.
Sources close to Presley at that time stated that the actress had begun suspecting Kruse’s dishonesty and misappropriation of her funds, hence her decision to shut Kruse out.
The Socialite Made Up With Granddaughter Riley Keough Last Year
The new lawsuit is certainly a dramatic turn from a rather peaceful latter end of 2023 for Presley, who put aside her differences with her granddaughter and stepped out to grab a quick bite.
Presley and her granddaughter were joined by her great-granddaughters for the night out at Nobu, Malibu, to enjoy Sushi, with the Presley family matriarch reportedly footing the bill.
The Blast reported last year that the pair got into a bitter battle for the Presley Graceland Estate, which Elvis left in the late Lisa Marie's care and then transferred to Keough by her late mom.
However, the 79-year-old did not agree to Lisa Marie's decision and contested her granddaughter's ownership in court, stating an inconsistency in Keough's will.
But they made headway in June when the court affirmed and appointed Keough as the sole trustee of the estate and made her 14-year-old twin daughter sub-trust.
Keough Confirmed That The Family's Troubles Were Over
"The Good Doctor" actress disclosed in an interview two months after their family dinner that her mother's death left behind lots of chaos, especially on the business side, and they just needed time to clarify the situation.
Keough cleared all speculations of enmity between her and Presley, stating:
"Things with Grandma will be happy. They've never not been happy. There was a bit of upheaval, but now everything's going to be how it was. She's a beautiful woman, and she was a huge part of creating my grandfather's legacy and Graceland."
The Blast shared that Presley also backed up Keough's statement in a later interview, accusing the media of overblowing the situation and spreading a negative narrative about her relationship with her granddaughter.
She explained that her granddaughter is now the executor of the estate, and they were "never not on good times" and Keough wanted her there to help her.
Priscilla Presley Blamed Elvis’ Tight Schedule For Not Having More Kids
The 79-year-old disclosed that they could not give Lisa Marie Presley a sibling because the late music icon felt guilty for not being a part of daughter’s childhood.
The late Lisa Marie was born in 1968 and was adored by both parents, but the late rock icon was always on tour or scheduling one and felt he was not around enough to give a lot of attention to having another child.
The 55-year-old passed away on January 12, 2023, after being rushed to a California hospital two days after making a public appearance at the Golden Globes.
Priscilla Presley is one tough cookie, so one would expect her to see this legal battle through!