- Former actor Erik von Detten, known for The Princess Diaries and Toy Story, has been named as a co-defendant in a lawsuit alleging elder abuse and fraud against an elderly couple.
- Sheila Greenberg, 85, and Norman Greenberg, 97, claim they were persuaded to spend $2.1 million on gold coins worth no more than $1.3 million through von Detten and his former employer, Rosland Capital LLC.
- Five legal claims have been filed, including violations of California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion; the Greenbergs are seeking their losses plus $900,000 in damages.
Erik von Detten Named in Elder Abuse and Fraud Lawsuit Alongside Rosland Capital
Erik von Detten, the former child actor best recognized for his roles as Josh Bryant in the 2001 film The Princess Diaries and for his voice work in Toy Story, has been named as a co-defendant in a civil lawsuit alleging elder abuse and fraud. Von Detten, now 44, is accused alongside precious metals company Rosland Capital LLC — a now-defunct firm where he worked as a broker — of targeting the fears and financial vulnerability of an elderly married couple to sell them overpriced gold coins. The lawsuit’s details were obtained by E! News.
How the Greenbergs Allegedly Lost $800,000 on Overpriced Gold Coins
The plaintiffs, Sheila Greenberg, 85, and Norman Greenberg, 97, allege they first contacted Rosland Capital in 2020 after seeing a television commercial for the company. They were subsequently connected with von Detten and disclosed to him that they held approximately $2 million in retirement accounts. According to the lawsuit, von Detten placed an initial order of gold coins totaling roughly $1 million on the couple’s behalf, which were then placed in a storage facility at additional cost. He is further accused of arranging a second purchase of approximately $1 million in coins for the Greenbergs. In total, the couple claims to have spent $2.1 million (approximately £1.5 million) on gold coins that were allegedly worth no more than $1.3 million (approximately £971,499) — a difference suggesting a significant and allegedly deliberate markup in price.
The lawsuit specifically alleges that von Detten was fully aware that the Greenbergs “had never invested in gold or other precious metals and really knew very little about these things,” yet still proceeded to recommend the purchases. The court filings state that “Von Detten acknowledged that he understood their goals and their lack of knowledge and that he possessed sufficient experience and expertise and could help.” The accusations continue: “He earned their trust and confidence such that they agreed to accept his recommendations without question.”
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Five Legal Claims Filed Against Von Detten and Rosland Capital
A total of five claims have been filed against both Erik von Detten and Rosland Capital LLC. These include: violations of California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act; fraud involving intentional misrepresentation or concealment; breach of fiduciary duty; constructive fraud; and conversion. The lawsuit further alleges that both von Detten and Rosland Capital deliberately played on the “fears and vulnerability of seniors.” Rosland Capital, notably, filed for bankruptcy in July 2026. According to a report from USA Today, the Greenbergs are seeking to recover their full financial losses in addition to $900,000 in damages.
Von Detten’s Career Shift From Acting to Financial Services
Von Detten had stepped away from his acting career and joined Rosland Capital as a broker in 2018. He had previously spoken publicly about the decision, explaining that he had moved away from Hollywood in order to provide a “consistent, realistic income” for his family, per E! News. The lawsuit now puts his second career under intense legal scrutiny, as both he and the firm he represented face serious accusations of exploiting elderly and financially inexperienced clients.
Why This Matters
This case arrives amid growing regulatory and public concern over the targeting of elderly Americans by financial services professionals, particularly in the alternative assets and precious metals sector. Precious metals dealers have faced ongoing scrutiny for aggressive sales tactics and price markups aimed at seniors, who are often drawn to gold as a perceived safe haven for retirement savings. Rosland Capital’s bankruptcy filing in July 2026 adds a further layer of complexity to the Greenbergs’ pursuit of financial recovery, potentially complicating any efforts to reclaim funds from the now-defunct firm. The case underscores the importance of fiduciary standards and informed consent when financial brokers work with elderly clients who have limited experience in the asset class being sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is Erik von Detten accused of in the lawsuit?
Erik von Detten is accused of elder abuse, fraud through intentional misrepresentation or concealment, breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud, and conversion. The lawsuit alleges he sold elderly couple Sheila and Norman Greenberg $2.1 million worth of gold coins that were actually valued at no more than $1.3 million, while knowing the couple had no prior experience with precious metals investing.
Who are the plaintiffs and what are they seeking?
The plaintiffs are Sheila Greenberg, 85, and Norman Greenberg, 97. The couple is seeking to recover their financial losses from the alleged overpriced gold coin purchases, plus an additional $900,000 in damages, according to a report from USA Today.
What happened to Rosland Capital, the company co-named in the suit?
Rosland Capital LLC, the precious metals company where Erik von Detten worked as a broker and which is named as a co-defendant in the lawsuit, filed for bankruptcy in July 2026. The company’s insolvency may complicate the Greenbergs’ efforts to recover damages directly from the firm.
