Priscilla Presley has taken legal action against four of her former associates, accusing them of a scheme to steal her fortune. In a complaint filed on July 18, Presley claimed that the group had swindled her out of $1m. Memorabilia auctioneer Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, and Lynn Walker Wright were accused of deceiving Presley into agreeing to give them control over her before fleecing her of her money. The lawsuit said that Kruse, in particular, was a “con artist and pathological liar” who stole over $1m from Presley and duped her into giving the defendants 80% of her income.
Presley’s complaint alleged that Kruse trapped her into a “form of indentured servitude.” The exploitation forced Presley to work so that they could obtain the majority of her earnings, according to the document. Martin Singer, Presley’s attorney, and spokesperson, explained, “This action arises out of a meticulously planned and abhorrent scheme by the defendants in this action to prey on an older woman by gaining her trust, isolating her from the most important people in her life, and duping her into believing that they would take care of her (personally and financially), while their real goal was to drain her of every last penny she had.”
Kruse had attempted to turn Presley against her former advisors and build fake reasons for “massive payments” made to her bank accounts, according to Presley’s complaint. Kruse and Presley had a recurring legal dispute, with Kruse suing Presley in Florida for breach of contract, alleging that she had terminated their business partnership following the death of her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley. The complaint argued that Kruse’s suit was an attempt to exert further control over Presley and the story’s narrative.
Presley is seeking at least $1m in punitive damages, attorney’s fees and general damages. She also hopes to have the “fraudulently-induced contracts” with the defendants annulled, giving her complete control over her accounts. The complaint states, “What Presley cannot accomplish through this action, however, is the rehabilitation of her personal friendships and relationships that were disrupted and/or materially harmed by the selfish, fraudulent acts of defendants, which could take years to accomplish, if at all.”
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