Spears’s ex-manager is claiming he was blamed for her meltdown in 2007. He is suing for that and the alleged libel that occurred against him in Lynne Spears’ book.
The trial is set to begin next week in the case of Britney Spears‘ ex-manager, Sam Lufti. But instead of having the support of the pop singer, the case is actually against Spears — and her family.
“Jurors will begin hearing testimony next week on claims by Spears’ former manager that he was vilified and unfairly blamed for the singer’s public meltdown more than four years ago,” said the Associated Press. “Former Spears confidante Sam Lutfi is seeking millions of dollars from Spears and her family, claiming her mother’s book lied about him drugging and isolating the pop superstar.”
After the “meltdown,” Spears was ordered by a court into a conservatorship, which is why she may not have to testify at this trial.
“He is also seeking a portion of the singer’s profits, claiming he was a key player in her 2007 album Blackout and had the right to serve as her manager for years,” said the AP.
However, both parents, divorced now, are expected to testify in their own defense.
Spears’ father, Jamie, and Britney’s ex-husband, Kevin Federline, were said to still exert large amounts of control over her personal life, even with the conservatorship in place.
“Lutfi sued in February 2009, roughly a year after Spears was hospitalized and placed under the conservatorship to take control of her health and finances. The move by Jamie Spears came after months of erratic behavior by his daughter,” said the AP, “including shaving her head, speaking in a British accent and other bizarre incidents that also led to her losing custody of her two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline.”
Another part of the lawsuit involves allegedly defaming statements made by Britney’s mother, Lynne, in her book.
“Lutfi claims he was trying to aid Spears’ career and help her regain custody of her children,” said the AP. “The book’s allegations have caused him to be ‘subjected to unfathomable amounts of ridicule and public scorn,’ his lawsuit states.”
The burden is on Lufti to prove that Lynne Spears knew the comments were false.
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