Riley Keough Egg Donation Lawsuit Controversy, New Claims, Latest Legal Developments, and What It Means for the Presley Family

An amended lawsuit filed December 16, 2025 in Los Angeles Superior Court alleges Riley Keough donated eggs to John Travolta and Kelly Preston that resulted in the birth of their son Benjamin in 2010. Priscilla Presley’s attorneys called the allegations “shameful” and unrelated to the core legal dispute, while the Presley family maintains the claims are false and designed to cause emotional harm.

The allegations emerged within a broader $50 million legal battle between Priscilla Presley and her former business associates, raising questions about reproductive privacy, contract disputes, and the ethical boundaries of civil litigation involving celebrity families.

What Is the Riley Keough Egg Donation Lawsuit About?

The egg donation allegations appear in court filings by Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko, former business partners of Priscilla Presley, who are suing her son Navarone Garcia for breach of contract. The lawsuit is not primarily about egg donation—it centers on financial disputes and alleged contract violations related to Elvis Presley’s estate.

Core Allegations in the Lawsuit

According to the amended complaint, Riley Keough allegedly received “an old Jaguar” and “between $10,000—$20,000” in exchange for egg donation that led to Benjamin Travolta’s birth in November 2010.

The lawsuit claims:

• Michael Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley’s ex-husband, allegedly told Kruse that Kelly Preston was unable to bear her own children
• Travolta and Preston initially considered using Lisa Marie Presley’s eggs but abandoned the idea, allegedly saying they did not want “eggs with heroin on them”
• A deal was orchestrated around 2010 while families were in Hawaii, in which Keough allegedly offered eggs so Preston could carry the baby
• The lawsuit references a photo of Keough with Benjamin at Travolta’s home in Maine
• Text messages allegedly describe Benjamin as Priscilla’s “beautiful great-grandson”

Who Is Named in the Lawsuit?

Plaintiffs: Brigitte Kruse (auctioneer specializing in Elvis memorabilia) and Kevin Fialko (Elvis memorabilia collector)

Defendants:

• Primary defendant: Navarone Garcia (Priscilla Presley’s son) for breach of contract
• Related litigation targets Priscilla Presley for alleged fraud and elder abuse

Parties Referenced: Riley Keough, John Travolta, Kelly Preston (deceased 2020), Michael Lockwood, Lisa Marie Presley (deceased 2023)

What Do the Latest Legal Developments Reveal?

The amended complaint was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in mid-December 2025, expanding on earlier claims and introducing new allegations referencing Riley Keough.

Timeline of Legal Actions

July 2024: Priscilla Presley sued Kruse and Fialko for $1 million, alleging financial elder abuse in a “meticulously planned and abhorrent scheme”

August 2024: Kruse and Fialko filed countersuit in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking more than $50 million in damages, alleging fraud and breach of contract

December 16, 2025: Kruse and Fialko filed amended complaint including allegations about Riley Keough’s alleged egg donation to John Travolta and Kelly Preston

December 17-18, 2025: Priscilla Presley’s lawyers Marty Singer and Wayne Harman responded, calling allegations “outrageous” and stating they “have absolutely nothing to do with the claims in this case”

Recent Court Response

Singer stated that “after losing motion after motion in this case, and unsuccessfully seeking to have Presley’s counsel disqualified, Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, and their co-conspirators have demonstrated that there is no bar too low, no ethical line that they are unwilling to cross”.

In September, Riley Keough and Priscilla Presley issued a joint statement saying “these claims are not only untrue but also deeply hurtful. Our family is, and always has been, united in love and respect for one another”.

What Are the Legal Claims in This Case?

The lawsuit involves multiple civil law claims focused on business disputes rather than reproductive rights violations.

Primary Legal Claims

Breach of Contract:

• Kruse and Fialko allege Priscilla Presley violated contracts after they spent thousands of hours working to save her from financial ruin
• Plaintiffs claim they brokered a 2023 deal ending legal fight between Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough over the estate, getting Priscilla $2.4 million
• They allege Presley cut them off in violation of contracts soon after, publicly smeared them and later sued them

Fraud Allegations:

• Kruse and Fialko claim Presley used them to financially exploit her name, image and likeness while hiding that she had sold those rights in a $6.5 million deal with Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2005
• When confronted about the previous agreement, Presley allegedly repeatedly denied making it, later claiming she had forgotten about it

Financial Elder Abuse (Priscilla’s Counter-Claims):

• Priscilla Presley’s lawsuit says Kruse and Fialko fraudulently convinced her they were essential to her recovering financially
• She claims they compelled her to take part in sham companies, lost control of her name, image and likeness, and forced her into “a form of indentured servitude”
• Presley alleges defendants “were able to fraudulently induce Presley into giving them power of attorney, control over her family and personal trusts, and control over her bank accounts”

Legal Relevance of Egg Donation Allegations

Priscilla Presley’s attorneys stated the new allegations are irrelevant to the legal issues being litigated and asserted that prior efforts by plaintiffs to gain procedural leverage have failed.

The egg donation claims are not the basis for legal action but appear as supporting allegations within the broader estate and contract dispute.

What Laws or Regulations Apply?

This case operates under California civil law, specifically:

Contract Law

Courts handling cases like this typically focus on whether enforceable agreements existed, who had authority to act on behalf of whom, what services were authorized, and whether compensation was owed.

Elder Abuse Law

California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 15610.30 defines financial elder abuse as taking, secreting, or controlling property of an elder for wrongful use or with intent to defraud.

Estate Law

The dispute involves control over Elvis Presley’s estate, including Graceland and name, image, and likeness rights that generate millions annually.

Reproductive Rights Context

While the lawsuit references egg donation, no claims under California’s Reproductive Privacy Act or assisted reproductive technology laws have been filed. The egg donation allegations serve as family background rather than legal violations being litigated.

Who Can Be Held Legally Liable?

Current Liability Questions

Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko:

• Face potential liability for alleged elder abuse if Priscilla Presley’s claims are proven
• Could be liable for breach of fiduciary duty if they improperly controlled Presley’s finances
• Risk defamation liability if egg donation allegations are proven false and defamatory

Priscilla Presley:

• Faces potential liability for breach of contract if she violated agreements with Kruse and Fialko
• Could be liable for fraud if she knowingly misrepresented rights to her name and likeness
• May face liability if she improperly interfered with business relationships

Navarone Garcia:

• Named defendant for breach of contract in the amended complaint
• Specific liability depends on his role in severing business relationships

No Direct Liability for Egg Donation

Riley Keough, John Travolta, and Kelly Preston’s estate are not defendants in this lawsuit. The egg donation allegations have not resulted in legal claims against any party for reproductive rights violations or contract disputes related to assisted reproduction.

What Damages Are Being Sought?

Kruse and Fialko are seeking more than $50 million in damages from Priscilla Presley.

Claimed Financial Losses

Plaintiffs’ Claims:

• Unpaid compensation for years of work managing Presley’s brand and business affairs
• Lost business opportunities and future earnings from contracts allegedly breached
• Investment losses from ventures launched to monetize Presley’s intellectual property
• Plaintiffs claim they “deployed IP, know-how and creative marketing to enhance Priscilla’s brand” and formed several companies to exploit her name, image and likeness

Priscilla Presley’s Claims:

• Presley initially sued for $1 million, alleging elder abuse
• Seeks return of financial control over her assets
• Demands compensation for damages to reputation and emotional distress

Estate Value at Stake

Control over Elvis Presley-related intellectual property generates substantial annual revenue from:

• Graceland tourism operations
• Licensing agreements for Elvis’s name, image, and likeness
• Merchandising and commercial partnerships
• Film and documentary rights

What Is the Current Status of the Lawsuit?

Active Litigation Phase

The amended complaint follows a series of legal actions, with the case currently in active civil litigation in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Current Procedural Status:

• Amended complaint filed December 16, 2025
• Priscilla Presley’s legal team has publicly responded but formal court response pending
• Amended complaints are a routine feature of civil litigation, allowing parties to revise or expand their claims
• Courts can limit or strike allegations that are deemed legally irrelevant or improper through pretrial motions

Expected Next Steps

Motion Practice:

• Priscilla Presley’s attorneys likely to file motion to strike irrelevant allegations
• Discovery phase will involve document production and depositions
• Expert witnesses may be retained for financial valuations

Settlement Possibilities:

• High-profile cases often settle before trial to avoid publicity
• The filing alleges defendant Garcia demanded a multimillion-dollar settlement and insisted the alleged biological connection between Keough and Benjamin be kept out of the press

Trial Timeline:

• Complex civil cases typically take 18-36 months from filing to trial
• Appeals could extend litigation for years

What Potential Outcomes Exist?

Possible Legal Resolutions

Dismissal of Egg Donation Allegations: Priscilla Presley’s attorneys stated that prior efforts by plaintiffs to gain procedural leverage, including attempts to disqualify Presley’s counsel, have failed. Courts may strike allegations unrelated to core legal claims.

Settlement Agreement:

• Most civil disputes resolve through negotiated settlement
• Settlement could include:
  • Financial payment to plaintiffs or defendants
  • Non-disclosure agreements regarding family matters
  • Release of all claims with no admission of wrongdoing

Trial Verdict:

• Jury or judge determines liability on contract and fraud claims
• Damages awarded based on proven financial losses
• Appeal rights preserved for losing party

Precedential Impact: Limited precedential value beyond contract law principles, as egg donation allegations are ancillary to main dispute.

Implications for Parties

For Riley Keough:

• No legal liability in current lawsuit
• Reputational concerns addressed through public denials
• Privacy interests potentially violated if allegations are false

For Priscilla Presley:

• Substantial financial exposure if breach of contract proven
• Estate control issues if elder abuse claims fail
• Family reputation and unity at stake

For Kruse and Fialko:

• Potential vindication if breach of contract proven
• Risk of counterclaims for defamation or abuse of process
• Professional reputation damage regardless of outcome

What Similar Lawsuits Provide Legal Precedent?

Estate Disputes Involving Celebrity Families

Comparable Cases:

• Michael Jackson estate litigation (2009-present): Family disputes over executors and trust control
• Prince estate litigation (2016-2023): Contested heirs and valuation disputes lasting years
• Anna Nicole Smith estate case (1994-2014): Multi-decade litigation over inheritance rights

Common Legal Patterns:

• Estate disputes often involve competing claims of financial abuse
• High-value intellectual property rights generate intense litigation
• Family conflicts escalate when substantial assets are at stake
• Courts scrutinize contracts signed by elderly parties for capacity and undue influence

Elder Financial Abuse Precedents

California courts apply strict scrutiny to financial arrangements where elder parties claim manipulation:

• Burden shifts to alleged abuser to prove transactions were fair
• Courts examine power dynamics and mental capacity at time of contract formation
• Fiduciary duties impose high standards of care on those managing elders’ finances

Relevance to Current Case

The key question is not who will ultimately prevail, but which allegations the court will permit to move forward as the case advances. Judges will determine whether egg donation claims are relevant or merely inflammatory material that should be stricken from the complaint.

What Legal Issues Are Being Challenged?

Enforceability of Business Contracts

Central legal issue: Did valid, enforceable contracts exist between Priscilla Presley and her former business associates?

Key Legal Questions:

• Did Presley have mental capacity to enter contracts?
• Were contracts obtained through undue influence or fraud?
• Did Presley have authority to grant rights she had previously sold?
• Were contract terms unconscionable or one-sided?

Standards for Financial Elder Abuse

Presley alleges former partners engaged in elder abuse by “gaining her trust, isolating her from the most important people in her life, and duping her into believing they would take care of her while their real goal was to drain her of every last penny”.

California law requires proving:

• Taking or controlling property of person 65 or older
• For wrongful use or with intent to defraud
• Resulting in harm to the elder

Relevance of Family Allegations in Civil Litigation

The lawsuit largely seems to be a way for accusers to try and embarrass Presley by revealing alleged troubles in her family life.

Legal Ethics Issues:

• Attorneys face professional responsibility rules against filing claims solely to harass
• Courts may sanction parties for including irrelevant inflammatory allegations
• Abuse of process claims possible if litigation used for improper purposes

Why This Case Matters for Legal Understanding

Reproductive Privacy Considerations

Even though no legal claims directly involve reproductive rights, the case raises awareness about:

• Privacy rights of egg donors and recipients
• Confidentiality in assisted reproductive arrangements
• Potential for family disputes to expose private medical decisions

Contract Law Lessons

The case demonstrates:

• Importance of clear documentation in business relationships
• Risks when elderly parties enter complex financial arrangements
• Need for independent legal counsel in high-value transactions
• Consequences when parties dispute contract formation and authority

Estate Planning Implications

Kruse and Fialko brokered a 2023 deal to end legal fight over the estate between Priscilla Presley and Riley Keough, highlighting:

• Value of clear succession planning in celebrity estates
• Risks of contested trusts after family member’s death
• Need for professional fiduciaries in complex estates

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Riley Keough being sued for egg donation?

No. Riley Keough is not a defendant in the lawsuit. The egg donation allegations appear in an amended complaint filed by Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko against Navarone Garcia for breach of contract. The claims about Keough are presented as background information in a broader estate and contract dispute.

What court is handling the Riley Keough egg donation lawsuit?

The lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court. The amended complaint including egg donation allegations was filed December 16, 2025 in the same court.

Has Riley Keough responded to the egg donation allegations?

Yes. Riley Keough and Priscilla Presley issued a joint statement in September 2024 stating “these claims are not only untrue but also deeply hurtful. Our family is, and always has been, united in love and respect for one another”.

What laws apply to egg donation disputes in California?

California Family Code Sections 7613 and 7960 govern assisted reproduction and establish that egg donors who donate through medical procedures have no parental rights or obligations. However, this lawsuit does not allege violations of reproductive rights laws—the egg donation claims are ancillary allegations in a contract dispute.

Could the egg donation allegations be proven false and result in defamation claims?

Potentially. If allegations are proven false and made with actual malice or reckless disregard for truth, affected parties could pursue defamation claims. Priscilla Presley’s attorney called the allegations “malicious character assassination”, suggesting potential grounds for defamation counterclaims.

What is the statute of limitations for contract disputes in California?

California Code of Civil Procedure establishes:

• Written contracts: 4 years from breach
• Oral contracts: 2 years from breach
• Fraud: 3 years from discovery

The current litigation falls within these timeframes as disputes arose 2023-2024.

Will this case establish legal precedent for reproductive rights?

Unlikely. The case sits squarely in civil law, involving claims related to contracts, compensation for services, and alleged financial misconduct. Unless reproductive rights claims are formally added, the case will not create precedent in that area of law.

Last Updated: December 19, 2025
Sources: Los Angeles Superior Court filings, NBC News, Fox News, People Magazine, TMZ, Lawyer Monthly, verified news reports

Legal Disclaimer: This article provides general information about pending litigation and does not constitute legal advice. Allegations in lawsuits are claims that have not been proven in court. Readers should consult qualified attorneys for specific legal guidance.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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