The Presley family drama has taken a dramatic turn, and this time, it’s not about music, movies, or Hollywood glitz—it’s about money, legacy, and some serious courtroom fireworks. A new lawsuit has thrust Priscilla Presley back into the spotlight, pitting her against two former business partners in a bitter legal feud that’s quickly escalated into an all-out war.
The latest complaint, filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko—the heads of Priscilla Presley Partners—allege that Priscilla "pulled the plug" on her own daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, mere hours after she was admitted to the hospital. According to the suit, this shocking move was part of an alleged scheme to regain control of Elvis Presley’s estate, manipulate the public narrative, and defraud her former partners. On top of that, Kruse and Fialko say Priscilla and an associate made false allegations of elder abuse against them to ruin their reputations. They are seeking more than $50 million in damages.
Unsurprisingly, the lawsuit has sparked an immediate and fierce response. Priscilla’s attorney, Martin D. Singer, didn’t hold back when speaking to Entertainment Weekly. He called the suit “one of the most shameful, ridiculous, salacious, and meritless lawsuits I have seen in my practice.” Singer went further, describing the legal battle as “a sad and vicious attempt to falsely tarnish the reputation of an eighty-year-old woman in blatant retaliation” for a previous suit Priscilla had filed against Kruse and Fialko.
Adding another layer to the story, Singer claimed that Lisa Marie Presley’s eldest child, actress Riley Keough, “stands behind her grandmother 100 percent” and is “disgusted” by the allegations. Representatives for Keough did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment, but Singer’s statement underscored the family’s unity amid the chaos.
From the other side of the courtroom, Kruse and Fialko’s attorney, Jordan Matthews, pushed back, saying that his clients possess “video recordings and communications” proving there was no undue influence, coercion, or elder abuse—just a legitimate, well-documented business partnership. Matthews insisted that Kruse and Fialko are the real victims in this unfolding drama.
The roots of this legal battle go back to October 2023, when Kruse filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit. She claimed that Priscilla sent her and Fialko a cease-and-desist letter, abruptly ending a business partnership that Presley had originally brokered the year before. Kruse said that Presley had enlisted their help to develop her name and likeness rights as a way to combat mounting financial pressure. Their work, they allege, helped bring about the 2023 biopic Priscilla, yet they received no credit for the Golden Globe-nominated film.
Things quickly escalated when Priscilla turned the tables and sued Kruse and Fialko. Her complaint alleged that they, along with their Priscilla Presley Partners venture—over which they controlled a majority stake—and additional partners Vahe Sislyan and Lynn Walker Wright, tried to wrest complete control of her finances. Presley claimed that she had been pushed into what she described as “a form of indentured servitude,” signing over 80% of her income to Kruse and Fialko.
Matthews fired back, calling out what he sees as a distortion of serious issues. “Elder abuse is a very serious problem in our society,” he said. “Presley’s claims of indentured servitude unfortunately undermine the important work of the Civil Rights movement.” It’s clear both sides are digging in for a fierce courtroom showdown.
One of the most explosive allegations in the current lawsuit is the claim that Priscilla acted against her daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, during a critical medical emergency. Lisa Marie died on January 12, 2023, from a small bowel obstruction, a complication resulting from previous bariatric surgery. She was 54. Singer’s office slammed the accusation, saying, “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.”
The family dynamic adds even more intensity to this saga. After Lisa Marie’s passing, Priscilla contested her daughter’s will, which had been amended in 2016 to name Riley Keough and her brother Benjamin as co-trustees—replacing Priscilla and her former business manager, Barry Siegel. The legal wrangling ultimately resulted in an undisclosed settlement between grandmother and granddaughter later that year. (Benjamin Keough tragically died in 2020.)
In a rare public statement following the settlement, Priscilla made it clear that there were no lingering issues with her granddaughter. “Riley is now the executor, which should be right, obviously, being her daughter,” she said. “Riley and I are on good terms. We were never not on good terms. That was all publicity.”
The saga also highlights the complex interplay between fame, business, and legacy. The Presleys’ financial empire is not just a matter of family pride—it involves significant business interests, image rights, and Hollywood clout. From biopics to merchandising deals, the stakes are high, and every move is scrutinized by both the public and the media.
As the legal battle continues, both sides are gathering evidence, statements, and public support. Kruse and Fialko are leaning heavily on documentation and video records, aiming to prove their version of a fair business partnership. Meanwhile, Priscilla’s camp is highlighting family loyalty, character, and the alleged baselessness of the claims against her.
What’s clear is that this story isn’t just about money—it’s about reputation, family loyalty, and the legacy of Elvis Presley. The allegations are explosive, the personalities involved are larger than life, and the courtroom drama promises to be every bit as gripping as a Hollywood script. Fans, media, and legal observers alike are keeping a close eye on developments, knowing that any twist could have ripple effects on the Presley name for years to come.
Whether the case ends in a dramatic settlement or a courtroom showdown, one thing is certain: this legal battle has brought the Presley family saga back to the forefront of public attention, reminding everyone that even legendary legacies are not immune to greed, conflict, and controversy.
In short, the Presley drama is far from over. Between allegations of pulling the plug, accusations of elder abuse, disputes over millions in estate money, and family tensions playing out publicly, it’s shaping up to be one of the most high-profile legal battles of the year. The world will be watching as Priscilla Presley, her former business partners, and the next generation of Presleys navigate this high-stakes courtroom war.
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