Erik Von Detten, the former Disney child star known for roles in Toy Story and The Princess Diaries, is facing a lawsuit that alleges he misled an elderly couple into spending millions of dollars on gold coins. Norman Greenberg, 97, and his wife Sheila, 85, filed the suit against Von Detten and precious metals firm Rosland Capital, claiming elder abuse and fraud with $900,000 in damages.
According to the lawsuit, the couple saw a commercial in 2020 and connected with Von Detten, who had been working with the company since 2018. They allege he told them by phone that he had special gold expertise to help manage their $2 million retirement fund. The couple claims they ultimately spent about $2.1 million on Lady Liberty coins that are now worth only around $1.3 million. Rosland Capital reportedly went bankrupt months after the suit was filed, and Von Detten’s rep did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The story lands hard for anyone who grew up on late-’90s and early-2000s Disney movies, but the bigger takeaway is about protecting older family members from slick financial pitches. What’s the best way to start that conversation with your parents or grandparents? Let us know on our socials.
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Local Lawton
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