~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~25~RS~)
Britney Spears' former manager accuses her of drug use
Page last updated at 09:26 GMT, Friday, 19 October 2012 10:26 UK
- E-mail this to a friend [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Britney Spears has been accused of once being a heavy drug user by the lawyer representing her former manager.
Osama "Sam" Lutfi is suing Britney Spears for breach of contract.
His attorney, Joseph Schleimer, told the court that Spears used his client as a "scapegoat" to cover up her use of amphetamines.
The accusations refer to the years that Lutfi was Spears' manager, before he was let go from her team in 2008.
Lufti is suing the star's mother, Lynne Spears for defaming him in her book Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World.
He is also suing Jamie Spears, the singer's father, for punching him.
'Concerned friend'Lutfi is seeking a share of Britney Spears' fortune saying he had an agreement to act as her manager in exchange for 15% of her earnings.
Britney Spears is currently a judge on the latest series of The X Factor USA
During the opening statement of the libel lawsuit trial, Schleimer also claimed that Spears was using drugs on the night that she was strapped to a stretcher and placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold.
He described Lutfi as a "concerned friend" who was trying to get the popstar off drugs before the psychiatric episode in 2008.
Her father then became conservator of Spears' estate and a restraining order was issued against Lutfi.
Sniffer dogsDuring his time as her manager, Lutfi used dogs to search the star's home.
He claims the sniffer dogs found a substance that Spears told him was probably crystal meth.
Jamie and Lynne Spears say that Lutfi cut their daughter's phone line, hid her mobile phones and used the paparazzi as "henchmen".
The trial resumes on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles, when attorneys for Spears' parents will make their opening statements.
- E-mail this to a friend [an error occurred while processing this directive]
Print Sponsor
On Newsbeat today
Top stories
-
'Rise' in children abusing children
A growing number of children are being sexually abused by other children, say charities.
-
Woolwich reacts to soldier's killing
Local residents in Woolwich speak out after a member of the Armed Forces is killed in the street in south-east London.
-
Your view: Soldiers on London attack
After a soldier is killed in Woolwich, members of the Armed Forces talk about their reaction to the news.
-
Eminem music company to sue Facebook
Eight Mile Style claims that the social network used music in an advert which closely resembles one of the rapper's songs.
-
Paris Hilton to release second album
The hotel heiress signs with Cash Money Records to release her new record, some of which has been produced by Afrojack.
See also
-
Oprah and Britney top rich list
03 October 12Entertainment
-
Britney Spears joins X Factor USA
15 May 12Entertainment
-
Britney's fiance takes charge
26 April 12Entertainment
Most popular stories now
shared
-
Germany tops BBC country image poll
-
Lee Rigby named as Woolwich victim
-
Cyclist tweet was 'biggest mistake'
-
Are people drinking too much coffee?
-
Burning US railroad bridge collapses
read
-
Lee Rigby named as Woolwich victim
-
Cockroaches evolving to evade traps
-
Talent show mum in benefit fraud
-
Cheesemaker warned over hill rolling
-
US Boy Scouts to allow gay members
-
10 of popular culture's best Machiavellian characters
-
In pictures: Woolwich terror attack
-
Cyclist tweet was 'biggest mistake'
-
Nasa to lease shuttle launch pad
-
As it happened: Woolwich aftermath
