Judge delays sale of Graceland and suggests Elvis' granddaughter will win fraud claims

A Tennessee judge on Wednesday blocked a foreclosure sale of Graceland, ruling that it's in public's best interest to slow any potential ownership change of Elvis Presley's "well loved" estate.

The Shelby County Chancery Court judge went as far as to say that actor Riley Keough, the daughter of Lisa Marie Presley and granddaughter of the “King of Rock and Roll,” would likely prevail in her lawsuit, accusing a creditor of falsely claiming rights to Graceland, as long as there is evidence to back up her claims.

“It appears that you Mr. Germany, your client will be successful on the merits ... providing that you prove the fraud that has been alleged," Chancellor JoeDae L. Jenkins told the court and Keough's attorney Jeff Germany.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC claims it made a $3.8 million loan to Lisa Marie Presley in 2018 with Elvis' famed home used as collateral.

Keough, who is known as “Danielle Riley Keough” in court documents, insists that the alleged creditor used forged signatures to create a loan that never existed.

A representative for Graceland said the judge's actions "made clear" that the estate is not in danger of changing hands.

"As the court has now made clear, there was no validity to the claims. There will be no foreclosure," said a Graceland statement. "Graceland will continue to operate as it has for the past 42 years, ensuring that Elvis fans from around the world can continue to have a best in class experience when visiting his iconic home."

A lawyer for the creditor did not appear in court on Wednesday.

And Gregory Naussany, who calls himself a “lender” and representative of Jacksonville, Florida-based Naussany Investments & Private Lending, did not immediately return messages seeking his response on Wednesday.

But in court filing on Tuesday, Naussany said the company’s claim to Graceland is legitimate.

“I respectfully deny the allegations made by Danielle Riley Keough,” Naussany wrote to the court. “Naussany Investments & Private Lending is prepared to provide evidence and arguments to demonstrate the relief sought is not justified in this case.”

Jenkins said Naussany would have a chance to make his case.

"Mr. Naussany will not (be) harmed ... by delaying the trial on this matter until we can have adequate discovery (and) allow them to file an answer and provide a defense to the claim that he’s made," Jenkins said.

Given the worldwide fame of Graceland, the judge said prudence calls for any foreclosure sale to be delayed.

“The public interest is best served, particularly here in Shelby County, for Graceland is a part of this community, well loved by this community and, indeed, around the world," Jenkins said.