Tennessee AG opens investigation into company attempting to force sale of Graceland

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced Thursday that he ordered his office to begin an investigation into the company that allegedly tried to force the sale of Elvis Presley's estate Graceland.

Naussany Investments and Private Lending attempted to force the sale of the country estate this week, but was blocked by a judge after Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough claimed that her mother's signature was forged on a document that agreed to the sale. The company tried to claim that Presley's daughter Lisa Marie Presley, who died last year, had used the estate as collateral in a loan.

Skrmetti referred to Graceland as one of Tennessee's "most iconic landmarks," which Presley's family turned into a museum. The museum has kept the mansion open to visitors for over four decades. 

“Elvis made Memphis the center of the music universe, and Graceland stands as a monument to his legacy and a fond remembrance for his family," Skrmetti said in a statement. "My office has fought fraud against homeowners for decades, and there is no home in Tennessee more beloved than Graceland. I have asked my lawyers to look into this matter, determine the full extent of any misconduct that may have occurred, and identify what we can do to protect both Elvis Presley’s heirs and anyone else who may be similarly threatened."

The attorney general's office claimed that only the White House brings more tourists to a home, and that Keough's ownership of the mansion was confirmed by a court on Wednesday.

Keough said in a court filing that her lawyers were sent emails by a man named Kurt Naussany who was seeking to collect $3.8 million and threatening to sell Graceland. But the company told NBC News that Gregory Naussany handled Presley's loans.

Gregory Naussany sent a fax to the Shelby County Court that denied allegations of fraud, and said he was "prepared to provide evidence and arguments to demonstrate the relief sought is not justified in this case."

Graceland has not commented on the investigation or fraud allegations, but said the court ruling on Wednesday determined the estate would not be leaving the Presley family.

“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 spokesperson for the museum told NBC.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.