Priscilla Presley accused of causing daughter’s tragic death

Katie Hawkinson, The Independent

Since 2023, Elvis Presley's ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, has been locked in a legal battle with her former business partners. That conflict reached new heights this week with shocking claims as part of a new filing.

Two years ago, Priscilla's ex-business partners alleged the 80-year-old breached her contract. Now, those same ex-partners have claimed Priscilla "pulled the plug" on her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, in 2023 despite a "clear directive to 'prolong her life,'" according to a lawsuit filed Monday in Los Angeles County.

The ex-business partners are suing for $50 million, accusing Priscilla of fraud and breach of contract. The lawsuit accuses Priscilla of "defrauding" her business partners, using her "celebrity status to destroy reputations with unsubstantiated claims" and "exploit(ing) the tragic death of her daughter...to regain control over Elvis Presley's legacy and assets," according to a statement from the plaintiffs' legal team.

Priscilla's attorney, Marty Singer, vehemently denied these allegations.

"Accusing a grieving mother of contributing to her daughter's death is not savvy advocacy; it is malicious character assassination, and should be broadly condemned. These fabricated claims have absolutely no validity and we are confident this case will be dismissed," Singer said in a statement.

Here's what you need to know about the ongoing legal saga that has involved one of the most famous names in American history:

Priscilla Presley was sued for breach of contractThe legal saga began when Priscilla Presley Partners sued Priscilla in October 2023 for breach of contract.

Priscilla worked with auctioneer Brigitte Kruse to form Priscilla Presley Partners in January 2023, according to the lawsuit filed in Florida. The pair agreed Priscilla Presley Partners would "own, control, develop, protect, and commercially exploit Priscilla's [Name, Image and Likeness]," the lawsuit says.

The LLC was formed after Priscilla approached Kruse "regarding taking over formal management of her business and personal affairs" in August 2022, the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit claims Kruse and her associate, Kevin Fialko, then helped dig Priscilla "out of impending financial ruin." This came just as news broke that Sofia Coppola would be directing a film adaptation of Priscilla's memoir, Elvis and Me. The film, Priscilla, was released in 2023.

In August 2023, the lawsuit says Kruse received a cease-and-desist letter from Priscilla's new adviser accusing her of misconduct. The letter came just before the film premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Priscilla and her new adviser then "cut off all communication" with Kruse and others at Priscilla Presley Partners, according to the lawsuit.

In subsequent court filings, Priscilla's legal team denied the allegations and argued that Kruse "targeted" her. Priscilla broke off the relationship because she discovered financial wrongdoing, her attorney said at the time.

"My client made significant claims against [Priscilla Presley Partners] and its principals...for misappropriating hundreds of thousands of dollars long before this specious lawsuit was filed," Singer told Billboard in a statement. "We fully anticipate that my client will be vindicated and obtain a judgment against them."

The case stretched on until last month, when public records show the judge issued a stay. The judge canceled all previously scheduled hearings and ordered the clerk to "administratively close" the case.

Priscilla fires back with 2024 lawsuit alleging elder abusePriscilla fired back the next year, accusing Kruse and Fialko of engaging in elder abuse and fraud.

The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, claims the two "fraudulently" coerced Priscilla into "giving them power of attorney, control over her family and personal trusts and control over her bank accounts," according to USA Today.

The lawsuit claimed that Kruse and Fialko used the opportunity 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," USA Today reported.

Kruse and Fialko's attorney, Jordan Matthews, has denied the allegations and even addressed the claims in a statement released Monday.