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The following italicized article is from www.nbclosangeles.com:Britney Spears' ex-manager dropped his appeal of a judge's ruling that he must stay away from the singer until 2012, according to his appellate court attorney.
Osama "Sam" Lutfi instead will concentrate on his civil suit against the pop star and her parents, which is currently under a separate appeal, said attorney Joseph D. Schleimer.
In April 2009, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva K. Bobb directed Lutfi and attorney Jon Eardley to stay at least 100 yards from the pop star, her two young sons and her homes.
Bobb's ruling extended until April 28, 2012, a temporary order she issued against both men in January 2009. Bobb has since retired from the bench.
Lawyers for Lutfi filed papers shortly thereafter with the 2nd District Court of Appeal. They maintained during the hearings before Bobb that the three-year stay-away order was too harsh a measure and there was no evidence Lutfi had caused the pop star substantial emotional distress as alleged by lawyers for her father, Jamie Spears.
Jamie Spears and attorney Andrew Wallet share co-conservatorship powers over the 28-year-old singer's estate.
Spears' father maintained Lutfi and Eardley have tried to undermine the conservatorship established by Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Reva Goetz in early 2008 after the singer exhibited behavior that resulted in her hospitalization at UCLA Medical Center.
Lutfi sued Spears and her parents in February 2008, alleging he was defamed in passages of a book written by the singer's mother, Lynne Spears.
Lynne Spears is appealing a judge's ruling last August which denied her motion to have the case against her dismissed on grounds it infringed on her right to free speech.
In the appeal, Lynne Spears' lawyers maintain Lutfi is "libel-proof" because his reputation allegedly was already so low before her book was published that the contents could not have damaged his image further.Source: NBC
Ken Baker, from E! Online, was on with Ryan Seacrest this morning and gave more info about Britney and Jason. According to Baker, they did break up over the holidays, but got back together and have been together basically every day since. The break up happened because they were fighting a lot. He said one of their fights was about Sam and Adnan contacting Jason. You can listen to the interview here.
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears' team has taken the first step toward ending the conservatorship, TMZ has learned ... but it's by no means a done deal.Sources tells us lawyers and others connected with the case have been meeting ... evaluating Britney's progress with the goal of ending the conservatorship. As we first reported, Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, wanted to wait until her tour ended before making the big move, but it's something he wants for his daughter only when the time is right. We know there have been several lengthy meetings recently between the lawyers and the court commissioner in the commissioner's chambers.Jamie and the lawyers will not make the decision to end the conservatorship. They will weigh in, but the person with all the influence is the "capacity expert" -- a psychiatrist who was appointed by the court. The capacity expert will do a thorough evaluation and submit it to the commissioner.We're told one of the fears Jamie has ... Sam Lutfi, a guy Jamie thinks is still a threat to Britney if she allows him back in her life. He's got that right.There are actually two conservatorships -- one over Britney, the person, and the other over Britney's business affairs. We're told the business conservatorship will likely continue. The issue on the table is whether to end the conservatorship over Britney, the person. Again, no decisions have been made, but it's all moving in that direction.Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears blew through $1.32 MILLION on lawyers in a recent 7-month span -- but the result was priceless.
The money has been used to pay off the lawyers who represented Britney's conservatorship -- the group of people who have essentially restored Britney.
The court order makes it clear: More fees are on the way ... and Britney's conservators need to stash a few bucks away to prepare.
BTW, it cost Britney roughly $280,000 in lawyer's fees to keep Adnan Ghalib, Sam Lutfi and Jon Eardley away from her.
Source: TMZBest money ever spend!
The following italicized article is from www.dailynews.com:judge has put a hold on a lawsuit by Britney Spears' former self-professed manager against the pop star and her parents pending the outcome of an appeal of an earlier ruling in the case by the singer's mother. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian issued his order Thursday, nearly two months after he declined to grant Lynne Spears' motion to be taken out of the case filed by Osama "Sam" Lutfi. Lutfi alleges she made false statements in a tell-all book. Sinanian also ordered all parties to try to resolve the case in mediation. He set a status conference for March 8. Lutfi's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman, downplayed the delay in the case. "The stay was agreed upon to allow time for Lynne Spears' appeal of her loss of her motion to strike Lutfi's lawsuit," Freedman said. "I fully expect that after she loses her appeal she will understand the reality that the only issue left will be how much the damage award against her will be." In his 13-page ruling handed down in July, Sinanian found that lawyers for Lutfi had established a "prima facie claim for defamation, assuming the statements were made falsely" by the pop star's mother, Lynne Spears. Lutfi's suit maintains that Lynne Spears' book, "Through the Storm, A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," contains false information, including that Lutfi admitted he threw away Britney's phone chargers and disabled her house phones in an attempt to isolate her from her family.Lutfi's lawsuit also alleges that the singer's father, Jamie Spears, punched him in the chest at the entertainer's home in January 2008 and that the singer herself still owes him money for management fees. Lynne Spears' lawyer, Michael Adler, argued in court documents that the claims by Lutfi for libel and defamation should have been dismissed because they interfered with her right to free speech. He also asked the judge to throw out an allegation of intentional infliction of emotional distress. Adler noted in his court papers that some of the statements in Lynne Spears' book recount -- often word for word -- what she said in a defamation- proof court declaration in favor of the issuance of a temporary restraining order to protect her daughter against Lutfi. But in rejecting Adler's motion in its entirety, Sinanian, who had the case under submission for six days, said there is evidence that Lynne Spears made statements with "reckless disregard for the truth." The Lutfi suit was filed Feb. 3, four days after Britney Spears was granted a temporary restraining order against Lutfi, her 36-year-old former boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley, forbidding all three from having contact with her, her parents and her two sons. The order was later extended until 2012 against Ghalib first, then later until the same year against the other two men, as well. Lutfi has appealed the order. Source: LA Daily News
The following italicized article is from www.nbclosangeles.com:Libel claims against Britney Spears' mother will likely remain part of a lawsuit by the pop star's self-proclaimed ex-manager that also names the singer and her father, a judge said Thursday.Osama "Sam" Lutfi alleges the pop star's mother, Lynne Spears, defamed him, the singer's father, Jamie Spears, assaulted him, and the performer still owes him money for management fees.He claims that Jamie Spears punched him in the chest at the singer's home in January 2008, and that Lynne Spears' book, "Through the Storm, A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," contains false information, including that Lutfi admitted he threw away Britney's phone chargers and disabled her house phones in an attempt to isolate her from her family.Lynne Spears notes in her court papers that some of the statements in her book recount -- often word for word -- what she said in a defamation-proof court declaration in favor of the issuance of a temporary restraining to protect her daughter against Lutfi.Her attorney, Michael S. Adler, argued in court documents that the claims by Lutfi for libel and defamation should be dismissed because they interfered with her right to free speech. He also is asking the judge to throw out an allegation of intentional infliction of emotional distress.But Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian rejected arguments that Lutfi was legally "libel-proof," a term referring to someone whose reputation has been irreparably stained by prior published statements."My opinion is that a prima facie case has been made in this circumstance," Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian said after hearing a motion by Lynne Spears to dismiss all of Osama "Sam" Lutfi's allegations.However, Sinanian said he was taking the motion under submission and expects to have a final ruling in a few days."I want to look at the papers again to make sure I've covered all my bases," Sinanian said.
Lutfi's lawyer, Bryan J. Freedman, said after the hearing that he was encouraged by Sinanian's comments indicating he is leaning toward denying Lynne Spears' motion."I think there's no question we will prevail on this motion," Freedman said.In a sworn declaration also filed with Lynne Spears' court papers, Chip MacGregor, her book agent, states that sales of "Through the Storm" have been disappointing. The poor sales may be attributable to the fact there was "little news in the book," according to her court papers.The Lutfi suit was filed Feb. 3, four days after Britney Spears was granted a temporary restraining order against Lutfi, her 36-year-old former boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley, forbidding all three from having contact with her, her parents and her two young sons.The order was later extended until 2012 against Ghalib first, then later until the same year against the other two men as well.Lutfi has appealed the order.Source: NBC
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears' former BFF has filed legal papers in his defamation lawsuit against Britney and her parents, claiming they have ruined his life.The devil Sam Lutfi claims Lynne Spears' book about her famous daughter is a pack of lies, especially the part in which she says Sam told her he secretly ground up pills and put them in Britney's food.Lutfi says as a result of the book, "I am constantly in fear for my life..." He says he was "harassed and cajoled by the public." If our memory serves us correctly, Lutfi was cajoled long before Lynne's book was published.Lutfi trotted out his own cast of character witnesses in the new legal docs -- notably the infamous Adnan Ghalib -- currently being prosecuted for felony battery. Adnan wrote a declaration, claiming Lynne's assertions that Sam was effectively holding Britney hostage were false.Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.radaronline.com:With hundreds of thousands of dollars going out of her checking account every month for legal fees, Britney Spears has just caught a small financial break.The Los Angeles County Superior Court on June 8 ordered Ghalib to pay the Conservatorship of Britney Jean Spears $11,500. to cover legal fees and costs it incurred in obtaining a restraining order against the photographer.Ghalib may be counting himself as lucky, however. The Conservatorship had requested the Court award it over $70,000!The same matters regarding Sam Lutfi and Jon Eardley are still pending.Source: Radar Online
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears' conservators -- since she can't file anything herself -- have filed a response to Sam Lutfi's lawsuit against her. In a four-page document filed last week, Brit's camp shoots down Lutfi's claims one by one. Lutfi's biggest beef is that he claims he is owed some serious cash for being Britney's manager. But in the docs, Brit's handlers claim the oral contract between them is void because Sam "made false promises" to Britney in order to get her to agree to a deal. Jamie Spears, Brit's dad, has already filed a response to Sam's claims of assault.Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.radaronline.com:The cottage industry known as the “The Conservatorship of the Person and the Estate of Britney Jean Spears Legal Team” filed new papers with the Los Angeles County Superior Court last night amending the amount of legal fees it seeks to collect from Britney’s former colleagues. CLICK HERE FOR COURT DOCUMENTSFor its time and trouble in obtaining restraining orders against Sam Adnan Ghalib, Sam Lutfi and Jon Eardley, and fighting off Lutfi and Eardley’s challenges to those orders, the Spears attorneys are asking the court to award them a total of $301,290.19.They’re now requesting $65,552.58 from paparazzi Ghalib, $114,552.90 from former manager Lutfi, and $121,184.71 from lawyer Jon Eardley.At almost $20,000 less than the original request, that’s a glimmer of good news for the defendants.Source: Radar Online
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears' dad claims allegations that he battered Sam Lutfi last year are completely bogus -- because Jamie Spears believes he had a legal right to beat his ass if he wanted to ... but Jamie is coy about whether he actually did it.In legal papers filed today, Jamie is very careful to not admit he punched Lutfi in the chest at Brit's house last year -- as Lutfi suggested in a recent lawsuit. However, Jamie says the law allows him to open a can of whoop ass if the situation calls for it -- and according to the docs, the Lutfi situation called for it. Jamie claims "he was provoked" by Lutfi and was "privileged to use force in and about the matter complained."He adds, "Any necessary force may be used to protect from wrongful injury the person or property of oneself, or a wife, husband, child, parent or other relative or member of one's family."Source: TMZGo Jamie! Go Jamie! Go Jamie!
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:The lawyer who tried to torpedo the Britney Spears conservatorship has just filed legal papers, contesting the restraining order issued against him and asking for a new trial ... this time by jury.Jon Eardley, along with Sam Lutfi and Adnan Ghalib, are bound by restraining orders after the conservators convinced a judge they were harassing Britney and her family.Now Eardley says a jury should have made that decision and wants a new trial.We're guessin' anyone who doesn't drink Fanta is out of the jury box.Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.people.com:Sam Lutfi faced off against Britney Spears's legal team – and lost, slapped with a three-year restraining order last month. His wallet may be taking a hit next. Lawyers for the singer asked a Los Angeles court last Friday to order Lutfi, who once was her manager, to pay $123,142 to cover Spears's legal fees for the courtroom battle over the restraining order. In addition, her lawyers are seeking $129,922 from Jon Eardley, an attorney who has challenged Jamie Spears's control over his daughter, and $72,292 from her ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. Both Eardley and Ghalib were also ordered to stay away from the pop star. A judge has yet to sign off on the request.Source: People
The following italicized article is from www.contracostatimes.com:A lawsuit by Britney Spears' ex-manager against the pop star and her parents will not go to trial until next year, a judge ruled today. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Zaven V. Sinanian scheduled the trial of Osama "Sam" Lutfi's lawsuit for March 8, 2010. Attorneys for Jamie Spears, the singer's father, said his client is considering bringing a countersuit, while a lawyer for Lynne Spears, the entertainer's mother, said he may seek to dismiss the defamation claim against her on grounds it interferes with her free- speech rights. However, attorneys on all sides also told the judge they will see if the case can be resolved with the help of a private mediator. Lutfi's lawsuit alleges the pop star's mother defamed him, that her father assaulted him and that the singer owes him money for management fees. Lutfi's court papers allege that Jamie Spears punched him in the chest at the singer's home in January 2008. In the defamation claim, Lutfi's court papers cite passages in Lynne Spears' book, "Through the Storm, A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," which he said contain false information, including a claim that Lutfi admitted he threw away Britney's phone chargers and disabled her house phones. The suit was filed in February, four days after Spears was granted a temporary restraining order against Lutfi, her 36-year-old former boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and attorney Jon Eardley, forbidding all three from having contact with her, her parents and her two young sons.The order was later extended until 2012 against Ghalib first, then later until the same year against the other two men as well. Source: Contracosta Times
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:We've just learned Sam Lutfi has officially filed an appeal against the permanent restraining order that was just granted ordering him to stay clear of Britney Spears.Lutfi lawyer, Bryan Freedman, told us "Never before in the history of the world has a restraining order been granted as a result of someone answering someone else's cries for help."Freedman added, "The evidence showed it was Britney Spears reaching out to Mr. Lutfi and all he did was help her get a lawyer."Story developing...Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.people.com:It's official: Sam Lutfi is a threat to Britney Spears. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva Bobb issued a three-year restraining order against the singer's former manager on Tuesday. Jon Eardley, a lawyer who has repeatedly challenged the validity of Jamie Spears's legal control over his daughter, was also slapped with a restraining order for three years. Both men must stay at least 100 yards away from Britney, her two sons, and her family members' homes, and must not harass Britney and her children, or contact them through phone, mail and email. It also prohibits them from "acting on Ms. Spears's behalf or purporting to act on her behalf." The orders, however, do not specifically protect Jamie and Britney's mother Lynne Spears, which Jamie had sought. The singer's father, who initially filed the request on Jan. 30, alleged that both men have harassed his daughter, adding Lutfi arranged the smuggling of a cell phone to the pop star at a hotel. Lutfi Will AppealBryan Freedman, Lutfi's attorney tells PEOPLE: "We absolutely will appeal this ruling. Never before in history has a restraining order been issued against someone who answered another person's cries for help." The order followed several hearings in which Spears's father, her hairstylist, bodyguard, among others, testified that the singer was in fear of Lutfi. In his defense, Lutfi's younger sister Christina testified that it was Britney who hatched the cell phone scheme because she allegedly wanted Lutfi's help to end her father's control. Last week, Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for the pop star, told the judge that "my client's situation has improved dramatically over the last fourteen months. [The orders against Lutfi] is in my client's best interest ... she has suffered emotional distress." Meanwhile, Lutfi's lawsuit against the Spears family for defamation and battery is still pending.Source: People
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:Britney Spears' conservatorship was just granted a permanent restraining order on Brit's behalf against Sam Lutfi and a guy who once claimed to be Britney's attorney.The restraining order lasts until April 28, 2012.Britney and both her sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, are protected under the order. Lutfi and Jon Eardley are not allowed to go within 100 yards of Brit's home, job or workplace.Sam and Jon also have to stay away from K-Fed's place and any of Britney's family members' homes.The conservators filed for the restraining order because they said Lutfi and Jon were trying to torpedo the conservatorship by contacting Britney behind their backs.Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.ok-magazine.com:Judge Aviva Bobb heard closing arguments to decide if the temporary restraining order against Britney Spear's former BFF/svengali Sam Lutfi and her wannabe lawyer Jon Eardley should be made permanent.Bobb told the open court that she will render her verdict by the end of the day. The bottom line argument, according to Lutfi's lawyer Bryan Freedman is that Britney, herself "did not suffer substantial emotional damage" as a result of Lutfi's phone attempts to contact her. Freedman told OK! exclusively: "I will most definitely appeal any permanent order. Britney did not testify. No doctor or medical professional testified that she suffered enough to warrant a restraining order" Britney's lawyer Joel Boxer countered: "There's much truth to the old adage that silence speaks volumes," meaning that neither Lutfi nor Eardley bothered to show up in court to testify in their defense. Last week in court Boxer tried to cement the idea that Lutfi and Eardley are "predators who patently threatened and extorted her through emails." Despite signing an agreement last July to stay away from the Britster, Lutfi testified that he slipped her a cell phone via his sister, and that she then texted Britney 45 times.Another court date in May is scheduled to decide who should pay whose lawyer fees for this whole thing. Stay tuned for judge Bobb's final decision.Source: OK Magazine
The following italicized article is from www.tmz.com:During final arguments in today's hearing where Britney Spears' people are trying to get a permanent restraining order against Sam Lutfi and Jon Eardley -- Brit's lawyer called both guys "cowards" for not showing up for cross-examination.All arguments have been heard and a decision will be made shortly.Stay tuned...Source: TMZ
The following italicized article is from www.people.com:After three hours of closing arguments Tuesday, no ruling was made on whether to extend a restraining order against Britney Spears's ex-manager Sam Lutfi and attorney Jon Eardley. The singer's father Jamie, who initially filed the request on Jan. 30, alleges that both men have continuously harassed his daughter, adding that Lutfi smuggled a cell phone to her at a hotel.Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for the pop star, 27, told Judge Aviva Bobb, "My client's situation has improved dramatically over the last 14 months. [A permanent restraining order against them] is in my client's best interest ... She has suffered emotional distress." Bryan Freedman, a lawyer for Lutfi, 34, has denied his client committed any wrongdoing, saying Lutfi was merely responding to Spears's "cries for help," alleging she was seeking to overturn her father's legal control over her life. "Not one threat or act or violence was directed at Britney Spears," Freedman argued. An attorney for Eardley, Roger Diamond, continuously questioned the validity of Jamie's conservatorship, and argued that Britney authorized Eardley to represent her, although a court has previously ruled that Spears "lacks the capacity" to hire her own lawyers. The hearing will continue on April 28.Source: People
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