Princess Diaries star Erik von Detten accused of 'elder abuse and fraud'
The Princess Diaries and Toy Story star Erik von Dettern is facing allegations of elder abuse, fraud and more after an elderly couple accused him of exploiting their "fears and vulnerability".
Erik von Detten has been accused of elder abuse and fraud in a new lawsuit.
The 44-year-old former actor, who is known for roles in The Princess Diaries, Brink!, Toy Story and more, is facing legal action after an elderly couple accused him and now-bankrupt Rosland Capital of elder abuse, fraud, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and conversion.
According to the lawsuit, which was filed in May with the Superior Court of California, von Detten and the precious-metal asset management firm exploited the couple's "fears and vulnerability".
Shelia, 85, and Norman Greenberg, 97, have alleged that von Detten and the company claimed "the ancient stability" of gold and other precious metals could help them avoid "complete financial ruin".
The Greenbergs have said they had combined balances of over $2 million across their traditional IRA accounts.
They alleged that they paid more then $2.1 million for gold coins actually worth $1.3 million.
The couple also accused the actor - who worked for the company as a senior account representative and broker - of convincing them to invest a further $114,000 in gold through their family trust after they'd depleted their retirement funds.
In the filing, the couple explained the appeal of the company as they said: "Rosland's marketing campaigns are and were, at all times relevant, designed in large part to appeal to senior citizens through their television and internet advertising, direct mail brochures, and high-pressure boiler-room type sales practices."
It's said von Detten was assigned to work with the Greenbergs after they requested the top advisor.
The lawsuit has alleged: "Von Detten acknowledged that he understood their goals and their lack of knowledge and that he possessed sufficient experience and expertise and could help.
"He earned their trust and confidence such that they agreed to accept his recommendations without question."
The filing has claimed von Detten and the company "took, secreted, appropriated, obtained or retained an unconscionable mark-up over the fair value of no less than $900,000 for a wrongful use" despite knowing this would "likely be harmful" to the couple.
It's said the Greenbergs were misled into believing that they were paying a fair price relative to the things they bought and for the reasons they bought them".
The couple want a jury trial and at least $1.8 million in damages for each allegation, plus prejudgment interest accruing at 10 percent, and punitive damages set at an amount to be determined at trial.
In response, Rosland Capital attorneys insisted they "cannot comment directly on the lawsuit".
However, they added to E! News: "We can state that as counsel for Rosland Capital LLC as debtor in possession, we have worked with the Creditors Committee to create a liquidating trust which will have the power to investigate the financial history of the company to provide answers to the claims of the Greenbergs and other investors.”
A hearing is set for November 9.
Von Detten played love interest Josh Bryan in The Princess Diaries, as well as voicing bully Sid Phillips in 1995's Toy Story and 2010's Toy Story 3.
His other film credits include voiceover roles in Hercules and Tarzan, while he also voiced Erwin Lawson in Recess and its direct-to-video films.
Elsewhere on TV, he appeared in the likes of Escape to Witch Mountain, Brink!, The Wild Thornberry's, 8 Simple Rules and Family Guy.
