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How a Fraudster Almost Stole Graceland

In a recent case that left many “All Shook Up," a Missouri woman attempted to defraud the Presley family by claiming ownership of the iconic Graceland estate. Most stories involving “The King” make for good reading, and they also hold an important lesson for homeowners. This bold scheme is a stark reminder that fraud knows no boundaries—whether you live in a mansion or a modest home, fraudsters can and will target anyone. The Graceland Fraud Attempt Lisa Jeanine Findley, a 53-year-old from Missouri, orchestrated a plan to defraud Elvis Presley’s family of millions by attempting to claim ownership of Graceland. She falsely alleged that Lisa Marie Presley had used Graceland as collateral for a $3.8 million loan that remained unpaid at the time of her death in 2023. To support her claims, Findley fabricated loan documents and filed fraudulent foreclosure notices, threatening to auction the estate if the supposed debt wasn’t settled. Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s daughter and heir to Graceland, challenged these claims in court, asserting that no such loan existed and labeling the foreclosure attempt as fraudulent. The court sided with Keough, blocking the sale and prompting Findley to withdraw her claims. Subsequently, Findley was arrested and charged with mail fraud and aggravated identity theft. She pleaded guilty in February 2025 and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for June 18, 2025. Lawrence v. Maple Trust - A Canadian Fraud Attempt Closer to home, in 2006, Toronto homeowner Susan Lawrence fell victim to a similar scheme. Fraudsters transferred the title of her fully paid-off home into their names and registered a fraudulent mortgage with Maple Trust. Lawrence only discovered the fraud when she attempted to access her home equity. After an initial ruling forced her to bear the mortgage debt, she appealed. The Ontario Court of Appeal reversed the decision, ruling that the lender should bear the loss, not the innocent homeowner. The case took nearly two years to resolve and cost Lawrence an estimated $50,000 to $100,000 in legal fees—not to mention the emotional and financial stress. Lessons for Homeowners about Fraud This case highlights several critical lessons for homeowners: 1. Be Vigilant Against Fraudulent Claims: If fraudsters can attempt to steal Graceland, they can target your home too. Monitor your property records for unauthorized changes. 2. Don't Divulge Sensitive Information: Fraudsters can use social engineering tactics to piece together important information you share and use it to forge or alter property ownership records etc.  Be careful with what you share, especially with strangers. 3. Regularly Monitor Property Records: Periodically checking public records for any unauthorized liens or claims against your property can help detect and address fraud early. Online credit reporting services such as Credit Karma offer free apps and email alerts that can help you spot potential fraud. 4. Beware of Contracts: Watch out for deceptive practices employed by certain rental companies, leading to unexpected financial obligations and complications. Using deceptive, high-pressure sales tactics, these companies can leave homeowners burdened with property liens after signing contracts for appliances like furnaces, air conditioners, and water heaters. If you are faced with this, don't rush the process.  Do some additional research and/or take the next step below. 5. Consult Legal Professionals: If you are pressured to sign a contract, receive dubious claims, or receive foreclosure notices, seek advice from qualified legal professionals to navigate the situation effectively. 4. Secure Title Insurance: Title insurance protects homeowners against potential defects in the title, including fraudulent claims. It’s a crucial safeguard that can prevent significant financial loss. Let’s unpack this last point about Title Insurance. What is Title Insurance: Your Best Defence Title insurance is a safeguard for homeowners, protecting them against potential issues related to the ownership of their property. This insurance ensures that the homeowner is shielded from financial loss if any unforeseen problems with the property’s title arise. Title insurance is a policy that protects property owners and lenders against financial loss resulting from defects in a property’s title. These defects can include unknown liens, encroachments, zoning violations, or even fraud that may have occurred before the homeowner acquired the property. Unlike other insurance types that cover future events, title insurance addresses past events that could affect property ownership. Why is Title Insurance Necessary? Purchasing a property is often the most significant investment individuals make. Title insurance provides peace of mind by ensuring the property’s title is clear and free from unforeseen issues. Without this protection, homeowners could face legal disputes or financial losses if a problem with the title emerges after the purchase. For instance, if a previous owner’s unpaid taxes or undisclosed heirs come forward claiming ownership, title insurance would cover the legal fees and potential losses associated with resolving these issues. The Cost of Title Insurance in Canada In Canada, the cost of title insurance varies depending on factors such as the property’s value and location. Typically, premiums for residential properties range from $250 to $500. However, the cost can increase for higher-valued properties. This premium is a one-time payment made during the closing process and remains valid for as long as the homeowner owns the property. Providers of Title Insurance in Canada Several reputable companies in Canada offer title insurance. Some of the prominent providers include: FCT (First Canadian Title) Stewart Title Please note: None of the providers above are sponsored links. How to Check if You Have Title Insurance If you’re uncertain whether you have title insurance, consider the following steps: 1. Review Your Closing Documents: Examine the paperwork you received during the property’s purchase. Look for any mention of title insurance policies. 2. Contact your real estate lawyer: The legal professional who helped with your property purchase should have records showing whether title insurance was obtained. 3. Contact Title Insurance Providers: Most Title Insurance companies maintain issued policy records. Contacting them directly can help confirm whether a policy exists for your property. Homeowners Without a Mortgage: A Higher Risk Group If you’re a homeowner who owns their property outright, you can be at a higher risk concerning title-related issues. Why? Fewer parties (such as lenders) monitor the property’s status when no mortgage is in place. By contrast, when a mortgage is involved, most lenders today, as a rule, require title insurance to protect their investment, indirectly safeguarding the homeowner as well. However, some homeowners might overlook obtaining title insurance without a lender's mandate. This leaves you more vulnerable to potential title defects or fraudulent claims against your property. Real estate fraud is not a problem reserved for the wealthy—any homeowner can become a target. Securing title insurance and staying vigilant is the best way to protect your property and your financial future.   It's such an important topic, I'll be sharing more tips on title insurance in future posts.  After all, as Elvis might say, “What I say is true; if it could happen to the King, it could happen to you.” Don’t Retire … Re-Wire! Sue

The Battle Begins - How Long will Trump's Trade Wars Last Between China, Canada and Mexico?

It has begun.  March 04 signaled the first day of what could be a long and drawn out trade war between America and it's two closest neighbors and trading partners - Canada and Mexico. President Trump also doubled the tariff he slapped last month on Chinese products to 20%. Markets are reeling, politicians are scrambling and the world is watching to see how the tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports will affect consumers and the economy. In Canada, the reaction was swift. Businesses pulled American bourbon, wine and other imported spirits from store shelves along. Canada also threatened to turn off imported power that keeps the lights on and factories running in states like Michigan, Minnesota and New York. As well, Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced  immediate retaliatory measures. Trudeau said Canada will not back down from a fight in the face of "completely bogus and completely unjustified" trade action that has the potential to ruin bilateral relations and prompt job losses, economic devastation and higher inflation on both sides of the border. Trudeau has already slapped tariffs on an initial tranche of $30 billion worth of American goods and promised $125 billion more will face levies in three weeks' time. He said more, non-tariff measures are coming if Trump doesn't immediately back down. Trudeau said Trump is doing something "very dumb" by attacking Canada like this, given there will be serious ramifications for American workers and consumers with higher prices on everything from food, car parts and fertilizers to pharmaceuticals and paper products.  March 04 - CBC News Meanwhile, there have been some indicators that President Trump may be willing to negotiate. President Donald Trump will “probably” announce tariff compromise deals with Canada and Mexico soon, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Tuesday. The potential agreements would likely involve scaling back at least part of Trump’s brand new 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, he added. Lutnick’s comments came minutes after the U.S. stock market limped to a close for a second day of sharp declines, spurred at least in part by investors’ fears that Trump’s aggressive policies will ignite a crippling trade war. After his remarks, U.S. stock futures tied to all three major averages rose. The compromises with Canada and Mexico will likely be revealed as soon as Wednesday, Lutnick said on “Fox Business.” March 04- CNBC News There's a lot of speculation out there - and lingering questions: What key American industries will benefit, which ones will suffer? When and will consumers see price hikes at the stores? Will there be a lasting negative impact felt on the American economy? What does this mean for the USMCA that was currently in place? If you're a journalist covering tariffs and the trade war - then let us help. William J. Luther, Ph.D., is an associate professor of economics at Florida Atlantic University, director of the American Institute for Economic Research’s Sound Money Project, and an adjunct scholar with the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives William is available to speak with media. Simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today

Empowering young minds: Digital platform providing educational resources for children impacted by Russo-Ukrainian War

Digital platforms have emerged as powerful tools for people impacted by the Russo-Ukrainian War. One professor at the University of Delaware has, for over two years, provided reading resources specifically for the children whose lives have been forever changed by this conflict.  Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, the Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Chair and Professor at UD's College of Education and Human Development, has developed a website with free interactive e-books, games and other resources to Ukrainian children. A nationally known expert in childhood literacy, Golinkoff worked together with developers to stock the site, Stories with Clever Hedgehog, with materials in both Ukrainian and English. The multilingual platforms allows displaced families all over the world to engage in shared reading with their children, facilitate early literacy development and promote well-being during a time of stress. In addition to enhancing learning experiences, digital platforms provide an essential sense of community and connectivity for students isolated by conflict. Golinkoff, who has appeared in numerous national outlets including NPR, ABC News and The Conversation, is available for interviews on the site as well as literacy in general. Just click her profile to get in touch.

Trade Wars: Economic Strategy or Risky Gamble for the U.S.?

As global markets become increasingly interconnected, trade wars have emerged as a high-stakes economic strategy with far-reaching consequences. A potential trade conflict between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico—key partners in the North American supply chain—raises critical questions about economic growth, job security, and consumer prices. While proponents argue that tariffs and trade restrictions protect domestic industries, critics warn of rising costs, retaliatory measures, and disruptions to vital industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Understanding the impact of trade wars is essential to assessing the future of North American economic relations, with key areas of interest including: The economic implications of tariffs on American businesses, workers, and consumers How a trade war with Canada and Mexico could impact the USMCA agreement and cross-border trade The industries most vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and retaliatory tariffs The historical impact of past trade wars on economic growth and stability The role of globalization and shifting alliances in modern trade policies Potential winners and losers: Which sectors stand to benefit, and which face economic hardship? This issue presents a timely and complex discussion about economic policy, international relations, and the future of North American trade. Connect with an expert about trade and trade wars: To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com

Exploring the ripple effect: How teachers' emotions impact student engagement and learning outcomes

The classroom environment is a dynamic ecosystem where the emotional state of educators can significantly influence students' engagement and learning outcomes.  In a new article published in Contemporary Educational Psychology, University of Delaware Associate Research Professor Leigh McLean offers a new tool—the Teacher Affect Coding System—for measuring teachers’ emotional expressions and studying how these expressions affect their students’ attitudes toward learning. With co-author Nathan Jones of Boston University, McLean uses this tool to gather new data showing emotional transmission between teachers and their students in fourth-grade classrooms. In the study, McLean and Jones, found that teachers displayed far more positive emotions than negative ones. But they also found that some teachers—about 10%—displayed notable amounts of negative emotions, with some showing negativity during as much as 80% of their instructional time. The students of these teachers reported reduced enjoyment and engagement in their ELA classes and reduced engagement in their math classes. Given the findings of their study, McLean and Jones make several recommendations for teacher preparation and professional learning programs. As a first step, they recommend that teacher preparation and professional learning programs share information about how negative emotions and experiences are a normal part of the teaching experience. As McLean said, “It’s okay to be frustrated!” McLean is available for interviews on the study, the tool and how teachers can help mitigate this effect. Click on her profile to contact her. 

University of Delaware experts exploring Black and brown history and topics all year long

While Black History Month officially ended on Friday, the topic is one that is always top of mind for many professors and experts here at the University of Delaware. Below are a small list of these experts and the areas they explore throughout the year. Click on their profiles or email mediarelations@udel.edu to connect.  Roderick Carey, associate professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, can discuss the importance of gender and race diversity in teaching. Ann Aviles and Ohiro Oni-Eseleh, both professors in the College of Education and Human Development, can share resources for displaced families and guidance for parents, educators and other community members who want to support them. Yasser Payne, professor of sociology, examines notions of resilience, structural violence and gun violence with Black Americans.

Space suit experiment lands on the moon

University of Delaware research made a moon landing on Sunday along with other experiments aboard the unmanned Blue Ghost spacecraft. These projects will help scientists better understand what it will take to successfully land humans on the moon, and could possibly pave the way for an extended stay. The experiment led by UD researcher Norman Wagner and his company STF Technologies, LLC, aims to determine how moon dust particles stick to different materials exposed to the moon’s environment. These particles, called regolith, are fine and very sharp, similar to volcanic rock or dust found on Earth. Prototype spacesuit materials made by UD and STF Technologies will be tested for their ability to repel this moon dust in experiments strapped outside a lunar lander designed to carry payloads to the moon’s surface. The UD spacesuit shell textiles are treated with multiple nanotechnologies, including shear thickening fluid, a revolutionary material co-developed by UD and STF Technologies that normally behaves like a liquid, but becomes a solid under impact, a useful feature when puncture resistance is a priority. The hope is that beyond puncture protection, the STF-infused spacesuit textiles will offer greater dust deterrence, increasing the material’s lifespan in space. Other RAC experiments will test materials for solar cells, optical systems, coatings and sensors. In other related work, the Wagner lab currently has experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a NASA collaboration to develop new construction materials for lunar exploration. These ISS experiments, part of a Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) that launched last November, extend Wagner’s previous work on ways to make concrete in space, for such items as rocket landing pads, buildings, roads, habitats and other structures. More recent work in the Wagner lab by undergraduate researchers and doctoral students focuses on methods for curing 3D-printed materials in space, including using microwave technology. “Here we aren’t trying to get rid of the moon dust — we are trying to leverage it to create extraterrestrial cement through additive manufacturing on the moon,” said Wagner, Unidel Robert L. Pigford Chair in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Contact mediarelations@udel.edu to set up an interview.

Insights: Cyber Risks & Opportunities in 2025

Managing cyber risk is no longer simply a technical necessity but also a strategic imperative in global business. With companies becoming more interconnected and reliant on artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and the rest of the digital ecosystem, they are exposed to greater opportunity and risk. In the video below, Senior Managing Director & cybersecurity expert Denis Calderone shares topics covered in the 2025 J.S. Held Global Risk Report focused on managing cyber risk in the year ahead. To view the report and learn more about cyber risks and opportunities, click on the button below: Looking to know more or connect with Denis Calderone Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview today.