Former Disney Star Named in Elder Abuse and Fraud Lawsuit

For a generation of viewers who grew up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Erik von Detten was a familiar face. He voiced the toy-tormenting Sid in ‘Toy Story’, became a teen heartthrob as the title character in the Disney Channel movie ‘Brink!’ in 1998, and played Josh Bryant, the object of Mia’s affections, in ‘The Princess Diaries’ in 2001.

He also voiced Erwin Lawson across the run of ‘Recess’ and appeared in series like ‘So Weird’ and ‘Meego’. After that run, von Detten largely stepped away from the spotlight around 2010 to pursue a career outside Hollywood. As of 2018, he worked for Rosland Capital, a precious metals firm.

In interviews, he has said he misses acting but is fortunate that his alternative career worked out well. Now that second career has landed him in the headlines for a very different reason. TMZ reported on October 20 that an elderly couple has sued von Detten, who is 44, and Rosland Capital, alleging elder abuse and fraud.

The claims are allegations only; none of them has been proven in court, and no public response from von Detten or the company has been reported. According to court documents cited by TMZ, the couple, who are 85 and 97, filed the civil suit in California.

Several sources say the complaint dates to May 11, 2026, which means the October headlines concern an existing case rather than a newly filed one. The claims reportedly include financial elder abuse, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, constructive fraud and conversion.

The plaintiffs say they called Rosland in 2020 after seeing a television ad and were connected with von Detten. They allege they told him they knew little about gold but had about $2 million available to invest, and that he presented himself as knowledgeable and offered to help. They also claim the company appeals to senior citizens and tries to exploit their fears and vulnerability.

The first purchase, according to the suit, involved Lady Liberty gold coins worth about $1 million. After the purchase, the couple says the coins weren’t sent to them but to a warehouse for storage. They allege that a second purchase of about $1 million in coins followed.

The couple claims they later learned the coins weren’t worth as much as they paid. Reports describe the total investment as roughly $2.1 million, with the coins’ value cited at around $1.3 million by one outlet, and the plaintiffs reportedly claiming about $900,000 in damages. Rosland Capital also filed for bankruptcy months after the lawsuit was filed.

It’s important to keep the limits of the reporting in mind. A lawsuit sets out one side’s claims, and purchase prices and later valuations alone can’t establish whether anyone committed fraud. The alleged statements and the circumstances of the sales will be central questions as the case moves forward.

So far, nothing in the available coverage includes a statement from von Detten or his lawyers, and the company’s status adds another layer of uncertainty. Until there is a response or a court decision, there’s little more than the complaint’s description of events.

For fans who remember him from childhood favorites, the news is a jarring turn. It’s a reminder of how far some former child stars’ lives can drift from the screen, and of how important it is to wait for the full story before drawing conclusions.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!