An elderly couple has sued former Disney child star Erik von Detten over gold coin sales at his former employer. The lawsuit accuses von Detten and Rosland Capital of elder abuse and fraud, and he hasn’t publicly responded. Fans know him from “The Princess Diaries,” Disney Channel’s “Brink!” and as the voice of Sid in “Toy Story.” The couple filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court in May, but the case drew wide attention this week.
Who Sued Erik von Detten and Why
According to the complaint, Sheila Greenberg, 85, and Norman Greenberg, 97, called Rosland in 2020 after seeing a TV ad. They asked to speak with the top advisor, and the company connected them with von Detten. He worked there as a senior account representative at the time. The couple say they told him they knew little about gold but had about $2 million in retirement savings. They also claim he assured them he had the expertise to help.
The Greenbergs say their first purchase was about $1 million in Lady Liberty gold coins. Instead of going to the couple, the coins went to a storage warehouse. A second order of roughly $1 million followed. They also claim von Detten convinced them to put another $114,000 into gold through their family trust. In total, they say they paid more than $2.1 million for coins worth about $1.3 million. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of keeping an “unconscionable mark-up over the fair value” of at least $900,000. Its claims include financial elder abuse, fraud, constructive fraud, breach of fiduciary duty and conversion.
What the Couple Wants
The Greenbergs want to recover at least $900,000 plus punitive damages, and they’ve requested a jury trial. No court has ruled on any of the allegations so far. Rosland’s attorneys told E! News they can’t comment directly on the lawsuit. However, they said they’re working with creditors on a liquidating trust to investigate the company’s finances. That trust could help answer claims from the Greenbergs and other investors.
Rosland Capital’s Collapse
On July 2, about seven weeks after the couple sued Erik von Detten, Rosland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The Los Angeles precious metals dealer, known for its TV commercials, let go of nearly all its employees in June. Rather than reorganize, the company moved to wind down and liquidate. Another company acquired Rosland’s assets in October.
From Disney Channel to Gold Sales
Von Detten, now 44, voiced the toy-torturing neighbor Sid in the first three “Toy Story” films. He took on the role at just 13, a few years before starring in Disney Channel’s “Brink!” and “So Weird.” In 2001, he played heartthrob Josh Bryant opposite Anne Hathaway in “The Princess Diaries.” He stepped away from acting in 2010 and joined Rosland in 2018. Still, he returned to the screen in 2024 for the Lifetime movie “My Acting Coach Nightmare.”
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