By Leena Nasir
Priscilla Presley’s former business partners have accused her of being responsible for Elvis Presley’s death, according to newly amended court filings.
Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko, who are suing Presley for $50 million, claimed Elvis was her “first victim” and alleged she pressured him to his death after placing a lien on Graceland, according to TMZ. The pair also accused Presley of taking Lisa Marie Presley off life support with ulterior motives. (RELATED: ‘Touch Me And Spank Me’: Lisa Marie Presley’s Memoir Unpacks Bombshell Sexual Assault Allegations)
Presley, who has been in a bitter legal dispute with Kruse and Fialko, has vehemently denied the allegations.
US businesswoman and former wife of Elvis Presley, Priscilla Presley attends a photocall for the film “Elvis” during the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 26, 2022. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Kruse and Fialko alleged Presley believed she was entitled to more money out of her divorce and acted out of greed.
“Despite enriching herself and extorting millions of dollars from Elvis, she then placed a lien on Graceland on or around April 29, 1977, in the amount of $494,024.49, adding pressure to Elvis less than four months before he died,” the filing states, according to TMZ.
Kruse and Fialko claimed Presley “exerted undue pressure on Elvis, pushing him to his death,” and alleged she used the lien to strong-arm Elvis’ father, Vernon, into naming her co-executor of the estate while he was on his deathbed.
The filing describes Presley as a “calculated sociopath and master of deception” who exploits the Presley name. Kruse and Fialko further accused her of being “like a pit viper willing to prey on her own family” for personal gain, the outlet reported.
Presley’s attorney, Marty Singer, dismissed the allegations in a statement to TMZ, calling them “absurd and ridiculous.”
“We expect her next amendment to claim that Priscilla is responsible for the death of JFK,” he added.
Kruse and Fialko had earlier alleged Presley removed Lisa Marie from life support in 2023, despite a document requesting her life be prolonged. They claimed Presley acted to become sole trustee of her daughter’s life insurance trust and gain control of Graceland, according to the outlet.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 15: (L-R) Riley Keough and Priscilla Presley attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Lisa Marie’s daughter, Riley Keough, now controls her mother’s estate and holds a significant stake in Graceland. She paid Presley millions after a prolonged dispute over the trust, TMZ reported.
“Brigitte Kruse and her lawyers are trying to deflect from what this case is about,” Singer told the outlet. Brigitte Kruse and her conspirators are accused of taking advantage of Priscilla Presley and misappropriating $1 million from her.”
“We expect to vindicate Priscilla Presley against Brigitte Kruse and her conspirator, who are engaging in elder abuse and misappropriation of her assets,” the attorney added.
