A couple has filed a lawsuit against a former “Princess Diaries” actor, alleging fraud and elder abuse against him.
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In court documents obtained by USA Today and People Magazine, Erik von Detten and Rosland Capital LLC— a precious metals company he worked for as a broker— are facing a lawsuit filed by Sheila, 85, and 97-year-old Norman Greenberg.
The Greenbergs are a married couple living in La Jolla, California, court documents said.
According to court papers, the couple claims that the precious-metal asset management firm and von Detten exploited “the fears and vulnerability of seniors” by claiming that “the ancient stability” of gold and other precious metals would help them avoid forthcoming “complete financial ruin.”
The couple says they paid more than $2.1 million for gold coins worth only $1.3 million, saying they later found they had paid more than what the coins were worth due to “substantial markups.”
Their lawsuit also accuses Rosland of capitalizing on older customers’ concerns about their finances by promoting gold and other precious metals as stable investments, USA Today reported.
In addition, the couple claimed that von Detten, 44, persuaded them to invest an additional $114,000 in gold through their family trust after they depleted their retirement funds.
According to the filing, von Detten—who played superficial heartthrob Josh Bryant in the Anne Hathaway-led 2001 film “Princess Diaries”—was assigned to work with Sheila and Norman Greenberg after they asked to speak with the top advisor.
Rosland Capital later filed for bankruptcy after the Greenbergs filed their lawsuit.
Court documents said the couple had been drawn to the company after seeing a TV commercial that they said created concern about the safety of their wealth.
The actor stepped away from the spotlight after reprising his role as Sid in “Toy Story 3.” He did, however, star in the Lifetime movie “My Acting Coach Nightmare” in 2024.
He joined Rosland Capital in 2018.
Officials said the couple are seeking at least $900,000 in damages and want to recover their losses.
In addition to claims of fraud and elder abuse, von Detten and the company are accused of breach of fiduciary duty and conversion.
A case management conference is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2026.
