K-Fed's Big Year Out

The following italicized article is from www.eonline.com:

Not sure about the kind of luck Kevin Federline's having these days, but everyone else sure seems to score when he's around.

And we don't just mean the strippers at Scores Las Vegas, where Britney Spears' ex-husband recently left a $2,000 tip on a $365 tab, prompting an inquiry from Spears' camp into whether Federline really needed help paying his attorneys' fees.

According to court documents obtained by E! News, the doting dad continues to spend big bucks on the kids ($1,517 during one trip to Babies R Us, for example), but he also isn't shy about dropping $589 on a pair of Gucci trousers or pampering himself to the tune of $1,200 at the Burke Williams spa in Los Angeles.

And, apparently he is single-handedly supporting the Venetian, the Hard Rock, Caesars Palace and various other Vegas hotspots when out of town, spending $50,489.71 for room and board, purchasing $40,000 worth of bling at Leor Jewelry & Timepieces at the Palms and plunking down $2,632 in one sitting/mingling at Tao Beach, the Venetian's poolside club.

Here's a rundown of some of the more noticeable expenditures billed to Federline over the past year:

$500 dropped one night at the Mondrian Hotel's Sky Bar in West Hollywood. That's one night out of many. Tons. More nights than there are in a year, it seems. (All those spread sheet figures start running together after awhile.)

$3,923 for a shopping spree at Barney's New York (in Beverly Hills), part of the $10,300.50 in wardrobe expenses that kept him suitably clothed for all those nights on the town in 2007.

$477 at a HoneyBaked Ham store. Someone got a nice gift last year.

$127.15 at Ann Taylor, which sells only ladies' clothing, so while we don't know who the threads were for, they weren't for him. (Well, they weren't listed under "total wardrobe expenses," anyway.) Actually, Spears' family attorney, Stacy Phillips, alleged in court last month that Federline lets the mother of his first two kids, Shar Jackson, use his business credit card, so maybe his once-spurned ex decided to treat herself.

Various dues and insurance fees paid to the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. Oh yeah, Federline's been on TV, reading lines.

$105.67 at Victoria's Secret. Ew.

$243.55 at Dave's Flowers & Gifts. Aw.

Not including all of the jaunts to Sin City (airlines of choice include Southwest and Alaska), the stay-at-home dad sure doesn't seem to be home much, at least not at meal time, what with all the credit-card charges from places like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Chin Chin, Burger King, Quiznos Sub, Pizza Hut, Jerry's Famous Deli, Houston's and Roscoe's House of Chicken 'n Waffles.

Then again, K-Fed is also racking up big bills at Ralphs supermarket, so meals do seem to be getting cooked at Casa Federline, as well.

Meanwhile, the once-aspiring rapper and guest star from small-screen fare such as One Tree Hill and CSI earned $398,734 last year from acting and $124,722 from appearance fees. Only $9,849 of his earnings was music-related.

Source: E! Online

Judge Throws Out Eardley Claim--Again

The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:

On Monday, a Court of Appeals ruled that a claim challenging Britney Spears' conservatorship was totally bogus, this time-not even waiting for the singer's conservators to file a response. Jon Eardley, who claims Britney hired him to represent her, had filed a claim once again stating the conservatorship violated her civil rights.

Last month, Eardley filed a similar claim which was also rejected.

But now, OK! can confirm that Britney was at least originally party to bringing Eardley in as her attorney. Britney spoke to Eardley via a third party back in the early days of the conservatorship, using a paparazzi pal to set up a conference call so that her father, Jamie Spears, wouldn't find out. (Jamie currently monitors all of Britney's phone calls.)

In a phone transcript obtained by OK!, Britney says to Eardley: "Basically I want my life back. I want to drive my car. I want to live in my house alone. I want to pick my own security, see who I want to see and make it happen."

During the phone call, Britney can be heard speaking in her English accent.

Source: OK Magazine

The Players All Lining Up for Brit's Court Date

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

TMZ is in court as the major players in Britney Spears' conservatorship and custody cases are all lining up to speak their mind at today's hearing.

K-Daddy's attorney, Mark Vincent Kaplan, as well as Jamie Spears and his attorneys have all arrived in court. One new player has shown up too-- powerhouse lawyer Stacy Phillips. She previously represented singer Bobby Brown in his divorce from Whitney Houston. The buzz is she's next in line to take on Britney as a client in her custody battle.

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

What Is Kevin Hiding?

The following italicized article is taken from www.x17online.com:

Last week, Mark Vincent Kaplan's former spokesperson, Michael Sands, told X17 he was subpoenaed to be deposed for Britney and Kevin's ongoing custody battle.

As the former media spokesperson for K-Fed's attorney, Michael was apparently privy to a lot of information that Kevin and his lawyer don't want exposed!

Life & Style has obtained a letter from Mark Vincent Kaplan, delivered to Michael Sands, requesting "copies of any documents you [Sands] intend to produce in response to the subpoena so that we may review the documents to determine any appropriate objection and basis for protective order."

So what exactly does Mark Vincent Kaplan have to hide?

An insider tells the mag: "Mark wants all emails, hand written records, notes, meeting notes, phone call notes and records, anything that has to do with his client Kevin Federline, to be handed over. He doesn't want anyone seeing the things that have been said privately, and doesn't want anyone to know about the secret plans and quotes said behind closed doors with regards to Britney."

The source goes on to say, "there are a lot of people that are starting to see that what's going on is not as pretty as it seems. Britney is mentally ill, and Kevin and Mark Vincent Kaplan have been making her look bad, taking her to court, keeping her from the kids."

I guess we'll find out more when Michael's deposed on February 20th!

Source: X17

Jamie Spears Granted Change In Conservatorship Over Britney

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears' father and coconservator, Jamie, was granted a change in the rules concerning his decision-making power over her medical, financial, and legal matters, a LA Superior Court judge decided Thursday afternoon.

Attorneys for both sides met with the judge behind closed doors. It is unclear what was decided or discussed.

Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet were named co-conservators of Britney's legal, medical, and financial decisions on Friday.

The court's decision to put them in charge was the worst-case scenario for Britney, sources told Us, as she has never been close to her father (who battled alcohol abuse during her childhood and was verbally abusive).

Neither Britney nor her father, Jamie, was in attendance at today's court hearing. Jamie's attorneys, Vivian Lee and Jeryll Cohen, were arguing for him, while Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed counsel, represented Britney. Wallet was also in court.

Britney was released from the UCLA Medical Center yesterday after a week of treatment. She had been expected to remain hospitalized for another 10 days.

The singer was involuntarily committed to treatment for bipolar disorder on January 31.

Source: US Weekly

Lawyers Meet For Britney Spears Hearing

The following italicized article is taken from www.people.com:

Attorneys for Britney Spears and her father attended a closed-door emergency hearing Thursday, a day after the singer's early release from a psychiatric hospital.

The attorneys met before Commissioner Reva Goetz, who recently extended temporary control of Spears's affairs to her father Jamie and a lawyer. The session lasted about a half hour, and the lawyers left without commenting.

Apearing in Goetz's downtown L.A. court were Jeryll S. Cohen and Vivian Thoreen, who represent Jamie; Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for Britney; and Andrew Wallet who, along with Jamie, is co-temporary conservator of the pop star's estate.

Adam Streisand, an attorney (and relative of Barbra Streisand) who had once claimed to represent Spears – and who met with her Wednesday night – was not there; his firm announced he was off the case.

Source: People

Brit's Attorney Is Out!

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

TMZ just received the following statement from Brit's attorney Adam Streisand:

"At the request of Britney Spears, Adam Streisand, a Partner at Loeb & Loeb LLP, met with her yesterday to discuss her legal rights in connection with the conservatorship over her person and estate. Following that meeting, Mr. Streisand learned that the court had issued orders that prevent Ms. Spears from retaining counsel of her own choosing, and on that basis, Mr.Streisand has decided he will not represent her at this time."

Source: TMZ

Brit Back In Court To Battle Dad Today?

The following italicized article is taken from www.x17online.com:

We're hearing that Britney's new attorney, Adam Streisand, may be heading back to court today to petition the commisioner that Britney is, indeed, mentally stable enough to retain her own counsel, which will be the first step in trying to put an end to father Jamie's conservatorship.

Jamie is expected to appear, but it's doubtful that the newly released Britney will show.

Calls to Adam Streisand's office were not immediately returned.

Stay tuned...

With all that's happened, you'd Britney might just want to rest!

Source: X17

Sam Lutfi Banned From Contacting Britney Spears, Her Dad Stays In Charge

The following italicized articles is from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears’ former manager, Sam Lutfi, has been banned from contacting the singer.

The decision follows Jamie Spears' attorney, Jeryll Cohen, telling a Los Angeles court they have been unable to serve Lutfi with the restraining order issued on Friday. Cohen said Britney and Lutfi had been in contact over the phone despite the court’s orders.

The commissioner, Reva Goetz, also ruled the singer’s father will remain in control of Britney, as a co-conservator. Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet will rule over decisions relating to her legal, financial and medical affairs until February 14th. However, Goetz denied a request by the co-conservators to fire Britney’s custody lawyers, Trope and Trope.

Earlier in the case, another attorney, Adam Streisand, who claimed to be representing Britney, argued Britney would like the power to choose her own conservator. He asked that the court remove Jamie because Britney is estranged from her father. His request was denied after Goetz said Britney Spears lacked the capacity to hire a new attorney. On Valentine’s Day, Britney’s mental competence to hire a new attorney will be determined.

After the case, Los Angeles County Superior Court Public Information Officer, Allan Parachini told the press, “The temporary conservatorship involving Ms. Spears has been extended until a hearing on February 14. A court appointed physician was assigned to evaluate her competency. That physician's report is due at the court on February 13. We will have the papers on the conservatorship later today and a provision that may interest you is she is ordered to have no contact whatsoever, direct or indirect, by phone, email, or text message with Sam Lutfi. Her father did not speak at the hearing. There is no change at all in the conservators. As you could see Mr. Streisand left the court. The commissioner did not feel that Mr. Streisand had standing to represent Ms. Spears."

Jamie declined comment as he left the court.

Britney has been involuntarily hospitalized since early Thursday morning. She is expected to spend another two weeks in hospital.

Source: US Weekly

K-Fed's Lawyer Wants Five for Fighting

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

K-Fed's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, has filed a motion asking the court to make Britney pay attorney's fees. If the motion is granted, we've learned Brit will be on the hook for more than $500,000 since last July.

Here's how it breaks down: The court has already awarded Kaplan $120,000 for fees earned between July 30 and October 8, 2007. We've learned in today's motion Kaplan is asking for fees in excess of $300,000 for work performed between October 8 and January 24, 2008. On top of that, Kaplan is asking for in excess of $100,000 for fees he will accumulate between now and the end of the custody trial, set for April.

A hearing on Kaplan's request for attorney's fees is set for March 10.

Source: TMZ

WTF -- Britney Left??

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

Britney left?!? TMZ was in the courtroom when the case was called. Britney was in the building, but never made it to the courtroom. When the Commish asked her attorney if she was coming back, she answered "I don't know whether she'll be here or not," adding, "I don't want to delay the hearing."

K-Fed was sworn in and the media were cleared from the courtroom.

As we reported, Brit's lawyers want to restore visitation in a "therapeutic setting" -- translated: she needs mental help. If Brit isn't there to testify, she'll win a Grammy for "Blackout" before she gets visitation back.

Story developing ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Arrives At Court

The following italicized article is taken from www.tmz.com:

Without much fanfare and crazazyness, Britney Spears arrived at the LA County Courthouse for this morning's custody hearing.

Brit, K-Fed (still mohawked and wearing a grey suit) and their attorneys are all making their way to the courtroom now for a showdown. We hear the popwreck will make a desperate plea to the judge to be granted visitation of her two young sons.

Video to come!

Stay tuned ...

Source: TMZ

Britney Spears On Way To Court Appearance

The following italicized article is taken from www.usmagazine.com:

Britney Spears is on her way to a hearing at the L.A. County Courthouse for her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Spears adviser Sam Lutfi is driving the singer in a black Lincoln Navigator from the Beverly Wilshire hotel. Spears' paparazzo beau Adnan Ghalib left separately.

On Monday, Spears spent over two hours at the offices of Kevin Federline's attorney. She left looking upset.

Federline has had sole physical custody of sons Sean Preston and Jayden James since the singer's hospital trip earlier this month.

Last night, Spears and Ghalib were involved in a minor car accident. Spears' response was to curse in a southern drawl.

Last week, Spears arrived at the L.A. Superior Court for a scheduled hearing only to leave the premises without entering the building.

"Move back, I'm scared!" she was overheard crying before she left. "Stop it! Let me get back in the car!"

Source: US Weekly

Britney Shows Up For Depo!

The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:

Britney Spears has just shown up for her deposition in the custody battle. She's at the offices of Mark Vincent Kaplan, K-Fed's attorney .

It was scheduled for today after she showed up ridiculously late for the depo earlier this month.

Britney stayed just a few minutes last time; after showing up hours late she sat for less than fifteen minutes.

Source: TMZ