A notary said the signature on a document was not actually hers.
Elvis Presley’s home of Graceland will not be hitting the auction block on Thursday after all.
In a hearing Wednesday that only lasted about eight minutes, Chancellor JoeDae Jenkins adjourned the sale of Graceland, saying, “The notary has sworn that the notary did not notarize the signature of Lisa Marie Presley on the deed of trust, which brings into question the authenticity of the signature.”
The hearing on Wednesday in Tennessee was set to determine whether a dubious entity could proceed with an advertised plan to auction off the late singer’s estate in Memphis.
Actress Riley Keough, Presley’s granddaughter, was trying to stop a company called Naussany Investments and Private Lending LLC from conducting an auction outside the Shelby County Courthouse on Thursday at noon.
Keough is alleging the company presented fraudulent documents last September “purporting to show that Lisa Marie Presley had borrowed $3.8 million from Naussany Investments and gave a deed of trust encumbering Graceland as security,” according to the court documents obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN.
Keough is being represented by attorneys based in Memphis and Jacksonville, Florida. Both lawyers declined to comment to ABC News. It is not yet clear whether Naussany Investments has an attorney.
Jenkins said “Gregory Naussany” of Jacksonville filed a one-page motion for continuance and Jenkins denied the motion Wednesday.
“The court will adjourn the sale as requested because one, the real estate is considered unique under Tennessee law and in being unique, the loss of the real estate would be considered irreparable harm,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins added, “Graceland is a part of this community, well loved by this community and indeed around the world.”
ABC News obtained a copy of the motion after court on Wednesday.
“I believe the claims made against Naussany Investments & Private Lending are unfounded and do not warrant the issuance of a Declaratory Injunction or Temporary Restraining Order,” the man identified as “Gregory E. Naussany” wrote.
“Lending the opportunity to present defense against the allegations made by Danielle Riley Keough, Trustee of the Promenade Trust, Naussany Investments & Private Lending is prepared to provide evidence and arguments to demonstrate the relief sought is not justified in this case,” he added. “I respectfully request that the Court consider Motion of Denial and rule in my favor.”
ABC News left a voicemail on the phone number listed on the motion, but has not yet heard back. An email sent to the address provided on the document bounced back.
Keough’s legal team alleged signatures from Lisa Marie Presley on a promissory note and deed of trust were forged. Court filings say that the documents were “purportedly acknowledged before notary public Kimberly Philbrick in May 2018 in Duval County, Florida” but never recorded with the Shelby County Register.
The court filings show that Philbrick, a registered notary in Daytona Beach, Florida, signed an affidavit on May 8 saying that she never met Lisa Marie Presley and never notarized these documents.
Philbrick has not yet responded to requests for comment from ABC News.
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
