Former business associates Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko have launched a staggering $50 million lawsuit against Priscilla Presley, escalating their legal battle more than a year after Presley accused them of elder financial abuse.
Legal War Spreads to Beverly Hills
Just weeks after a Florida judge gave priority to Priscilla Presley’s 2024 elder abuse claims over earlier breach of contract disputes from 2023, her former business partners have expanded their offensive. This past Monday, memorabilia dealer Brigitte Kruse and investor Kevin Fialko filed a fresh complaint in Beverly Hills, bringing fraud and breach of contract charges that echo the previously shelved claims from Orlando.
Shocking Claims About Lisa Marie Presley’s Final Hours
The lawsuit ventures into deeply troubling territory, making the explosive allegation that Priscilla Presley actually accelerated her daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s death in January 2023 for financial gain. The complaint references Lisa Marie’s advance healthcare directive, which clearly stated her desire for life to be “prolonged as long as possible.” According to the plaintiffs, Priscilla took control of her daughter’s medical decisions during a hospital stay for bowel obstruction and quickly ordered the removal of life support—before Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough, could even arrive at the hospital.
The suit contends, “Priscilla knew that Lisa’s passing undercut Lisa’s attempts to remove Priscilla as trustee of an irrevocable life insurance trust,” which positioned Priscilla to gain control over valuable assets like the Promenade Trust and Graceland.
Priscilla Presley’s Legal Team Fires Back
Marty Singer, Priscilla Presley’s attorney, delivered a scathing response to Rolling Stone, branding the lawsuit as “shameful,” “ridiculous,” and “salacious.” Singer dismissed the allegation about hastening Lisa Marie’s death as “malicious character assassination” with zero factual foundation, expressing complete confidence the case will be thrown out. He framed the suit as a vindictive assault on an 80-year-old woman who’s simply defending herself against baseless accusations.
The Business Partnership Gone Wrong
Kruse and Fialko paint a picture of betrayal, claiming that after Lisa Marie’s death improved Priscilla’s financial standing, she walked away from multiple ventures they’d developed to capitalize on her celebrity status. They say they poured substantial resources into pulling her back from the brink of financial ruin, only to be cut out later in violation of their agreements.
After Lisa Marie’s death, Priscilla challenged a 2016 amendment that stripped her of her co-trustee position in the Promenade Trust, which oversees Elvis Presley’s name, image, and stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises. That amendment had placed Riley Keough as the sole trustee while reducing Priscilla’s control over the estate.
Family Settlement and Ongoing Legal Drama
Riley Keough moved quickly to settle with Priscilla, offering a $1 million lump sum from Lisa Marie’s $25 million life insurance policy, plus payments totaling $50,000 for stepping down from co-trustee positions. Priscilla also landed a ten-year advisory position with annual compensation.
Five months down the road, the breach of contract lawsuit from Kruse and Fialko emerged, prompting Presley to push for dismissal. By July 2024, Priscilla had filed her own elder abuse claims, accusing the partners of manipulating contracts to grab control of her intellectual property and finances.
Court Battles Across State Lines
An Orlando judge placed the Florida breach of contract case on pause, waiting for California courts to sort out contract validity questions. This opened the door for Kruse and Fialko to pursue their claims on the West Coast, where their attorney Jordan Matthews told Rolling Stone, “My clients are determined to have their day in court and to reveal the truth.”
Battle Over Contract Knowledge
While Priscilla insists she was deceived into signing the agreements, the plaintiffs counter that she knew exactly what she was doing, pointing to video footage of Presley signing contracts with her lawyer present at Kruse’s residence.
Stan Lee’s Former Manager Dragged Into the Fight
Keya Morgan, who once managed comic book legend Stan Lee, has been named as a co-defendant, accused of meddling in the contractual relationship between the partners and Presley. Morgan pushed back against the allegations in a public statement, defending Priscilla’s character while calling the claims “malicious lies.”
Keywords: Priscilla Presley lawsuit, Lisa Marie Presley, elder abuse allegations, Promenade Trust, breach of contract, Graceland, Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Keya Morgan, Elvis Presley Enterprises
