Priscilla Presley GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images
Priscilla Presley‘s former business associate, Brigitte Kruse, has fired back at allegations of financial exploitation of an elderly person.
Kruse released a statement to Us Weekly on Monday, January 22, labeling the claims as “retaliatory” in response to the lawsuit filed by Presley’s attorney, Marty Singer, four days prior.
“We are confident that the facts will speak for themselves, and justice will prevail,” Kruse stated. “It’s disheartening to see a woman who received help and kindness from us now attempting to use her celebrity status to ruin the lives of kind, hardworking people. We appreciate the support of those who have stood by us during this challenging time. We will continue to focus on our business and look forward to our day in court. The truth will come out through evidence, not rumors. There will be no further comment at this time as we respect the judicial process.”
Us has reached out to Presley’s legal team for comment.
On Thursday, July 18, Presley, 79, filed a lawsuit against four business associates, including Kruse, citing 12 different complaints, including financial exploitation of an elderly person. Singer claimed they had plotted to “drain her of every last penny she had” and had “meticulously” orchestrated a scheme against “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” both personally and financially.”
Singer further alleged that the defendants aimed to gain control of Presley’s finances and “[force] her into a form of indentured servitude” where she would work, and they would “receive the lion’s share of any revenue that she was able to earn in the future.”
Court documents obtained by Us referred to Kruse specifically as a “con artist and pathological liar” who, along with defendant Kevin Fialko, “misappropriated, [embezzled] and converted” more than $1 million from Presley. Further claims stated that they “fraudulently” had Presley “sign contracts” to receive 80 percent of her income.
According to the suit, Kruse ran a business selling Elvis Presley memorabilia and met Presley, the late music legend’s ex-wife, in 2021. (Kruse owns California-based GWS Auctions, now under scrutiny over the authenticity of its Elvis-related memorabilia.)
Where a music legend once called home. Elvis Presley laid down roots and made a lot of history at the famous Memphis, Tennessee mansion. The late King of Rock ‘n’ Roll purchased the property dubbed Graceland in 1957, one year after his career started to take off. At the time of buying the home, Elvis […]
Presley co-founded Elvis Presley Enterprises and has helped run the multi-million dollar business empire related to Elvis’ estate. In February, Kruse and Fialko sued her for breach of contract — a claim Singer denied on Presley’s behalf.
The attorney claimed in the July 18 suit that the defendants “established a personal relationship with Presley that enabled them to gain her complete trust and isolate her from her long-time business and financial advisors.” He also alleged that they gained “power of attorney, control over her family and personal trusts, and control over her bank accounts.” Kruse and Fialko attempted to “falsely portray themselves as the victims” with the initial suit after “their scheme had been uncovered,” the documents read.
Presley is seeking a jury trial and $1 million in damages plus attorney fees.
