A notary claimed that a signature on a document was not really hers.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland home won’t hit the auction block Thursday.
In a hearing that lasted only eight minutes Wednesday, Chancellor Jode Jenkins postponed the sale of Graceland, saying “the notary affidavit did not provide a signature on Lisa Marie Presley’s trust deed, which calls into question the authenticity of the signature.”
A hearing in Tennessee on Wednesday was set to determine whether a dubious firm could proceed with a publicized plan to auction off the late singer’s estate in Memphis.
Actress Riley Keough, Presley’s granddaughter, tried to block Nausani Investments and Private Lending LLC from conducting the auction outside a Shelby County courthouse at noon Thursday.
Keefe alleges that the firm issued fraudulent documents last September to show that it “borrowed $3.8 million from Lisa Marie Presley Nausani Investments and gave Graceland a bond as security.” Court documents obtained by Memphis ABC affiliate WATN.
Keefe is represented by attorneys in Memphis and Jacksonville, Florida. Both attorneys declined to comment to ABC News. It is not yet clear whether Nausani Investments has a lawyer.
Jenkins, “Gregory Nausani” of Jacksonville, filed a side motion for continuance, and Jenkins denied that motion Wednesday.
“The court will postpone the sale as requested because, for one thing, the real estate is considered unique under Tennessee law and, being unique, the loss of the real estate would be considered an irreparable harm,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins added, “Graceland is part of this community, so loved by this community and really around the world.”
ABC News obtained a copy of the motion after court Wednesday.
“I believe the claims against Nausani Investments and Private Lending are without merit and do not warrant the granting of a declaratory injunction or temporary injunction,” wrote a person identified as “Gregory E. Nausani.”
“It is not justified in this case to give an opportunity to defend against the allegations made by Daniel Riley Cook, a trustee of Nausani Investments & Private Lending, Promenade Trust, Nausani Investments & Private Lending,” he added. “I respectfully request that the court consider the motion to dismiss and rule in my favor.”
ABC News left a voicemail at the phone number listed in the motion, but has not yet heard back. An email sent to the address provided in the document bounced back.
Keough’s legal team is accused of signing Lisa Marie Presley’s affidavit and trust deed. The documents were “said to have been acknowledged in Duval County, Florida in May 2018 before Notary Public Kimberly Philbrick” but were not recorded in the Shelby County Register, the court filing states.
Court filings show Philbrick, a registered notary in Daytona Beach, Florida, signed an affidavit on May 8 saying he never met Lisa Marie Presley and did not disclose the documents.
Philbrick has not yet responded to ABC News’ requests for comment.
