Police: Faux 'Elvis' faked fire for cash

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 20 (UPI) -- A Tampa, Fla., Elvis impersonator could be singing "Jailhouse Rock" in an actual jailhouse for allegedly collecting donations after a fire that never occurred.

Kathy Prince and Shelby Ewbank, whose husband is also an Elvis tribute artist, said they organized a benefit for Elvis impersonator Frederick Denmark that yielded him more than $2,000, plus clothing and household items, after he told them he was all shook up from a fire that destroyed his home, the Tampa (Fla.) Tribune reported Wednesday.

The women reported Denmark to Tampa police, who charged the faux-King with felony organized fraud and felony grand theft. Police said Denmark told them he invented the fire story to get the money.

"He said he made a bad decision and wants to pay it back if he can," Detective Curtis Smith said. "He even cried."

Denmark is currently free on $4,000 bail, jail records say.