Former Disney Star Erik von Detten Sued for Elder Abuse

Former Disney star Erik von Detten is facing a financial elder abuse and fraud lawsuit from an elderly California couple who allege he persuaded them to spend $2.1 million on gold coins worth approximately $1.3 million, leaving them with roughly $900,000 in losses.

Sheila Greenberg, 85, and her husband Norman, 97, filed the lawsuit on May 11, 2026, in Los Angeles Superior Court against von Detten and precious metals dealer Rosland Capital. The couple accuses the defendants of exploiting their age and limited investment knowledge to sell them overpriced gold coins.

The Greenbergs first contacted Rosland in 2020 after seeing a television advertisement promoting precious metals investments. They were introduced to von Detten, who allegedly presented himself as an experienced adviser capable of guiding their purchases.

According to the complaint, the couple disclosed their financial circumstances and relied on his assurances before initially spending approximately $1 million on Lady Liberty gold coins. Additional purchases between 2020 and 2021 brought their total investment to roughly $2.1 million. The coins were placed in a storage facility rather than delivered to their home.

The Greenbergs claim they discovered the extent of their losses in 2025 after independently examining the value of their holdings. They allege the coins carried excessive premiums and were worth little more than their underlying gold content, leaving them with substantially less than they had paid.

The complaint asserts five claims, including financial elder abuse, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud, and conversion. The couple alleges that von Detten and Rosland misrepresented the value of the investments and failed to adequately disclose the costs associated with the purchases.

Under California law, financial elder abuse can involve wrongfully obtaining an older person's property through fraud or other conduct likely to cause financial harm. The Greenbergs contend that their losses resulted from deceptive sales practices rather than ordinary fluctuations in the gold market.

The lawsuit also accuses Rosland of targeting older consumers through advertising that appeals to concerns about financial security. The couple claims the company used high-pressure sales tactics to persuade customers to purchase precious metals at prices substantially above their market value.

Von Detten, 44, is best known for playing Josh Bryant in The Princess Diaries, starring in Disney's Brink! and voicing Sid Phillips in Toy Story. He largely stepped away from acting before beginning his career in the precious metals business.

Rosland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on July 2, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. The proceedings could affect the couple's ability to recover damages from the company, although their claims against von Detten personally remain a separate matter.

The Greenbergs are seeking approximately $900,000 in compensation, along with punitive damages. A case conference is scheduled for November 9, 2026, as the lawsuit proceeds.