Hitting back as the Spears family, Britney’s former manager Sam Lutfi is reportedly suing the singer and her parents for defamation and breach of contract.
Filing the lawsuit earlier today (February 3) over alleged defamation, Lutfi is also asking for damages from Britney, Jamie and Lynne as a result of battery, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress - all arising from Lynne Spears’s book, Through the Storm.
“Jamie and Lynne launched a campaign of lies and intimidation designed to destroy Lutfi and drive him out of Britney’s life,” court documents tell. “This campaign also provided Jamie with the opportunity he needed to obtain an appointment as Britney’s conservator.”
Continuing on, Lufti alleges that “despite seemingly accomplishing their objectives, Jamie and Lynne have nevertheless continued their smear campaign against Lutfi. Thus, having no other alternative, Lutfi brings this action to defend himself against Jamie’s and Lynne’s persistent attacks.”
Sam Claims Book Was Damaging
Lutfi, who says he became Britney's manager after the two met in an L.A. nightclub in 2007, claims his reputation was damaged by Lynne Spears's book, Through the Storm, in which she makes allegations about Lutfi's control over her daughter. He calls the allegations "lies and fabrication.""Since the publication of the book, Lutfi has been subjected to unfathomable amounts of ridicule and scorn," and has received "numerous death threats from overzealous fans," the lawsuit reads, adding that Lutfi can "no longer find work as a counselor of at-risk teens."
Lutfi also alleges that in January 2008, Jamie Spears burst into the singer's home and "punched [Lutfi] in the chest," which caused "injury to his nervous system and person." He adds the singer's father was "screaming that ... Lutfi had made a rude comment to Lynne the night before."
Finally, Lutfi claims he and Britney had an oral agreement that he would be compensated 15 percent of her earnings as her manager. Lutfi alleges that the agreement was confirmed in a text message on Oct. 13, 2007 in which the singer wrote: "sam, so thats fine, i want you to be my manager, you were right its 15 percent of my money but for 4 years not 5." Lutfi claims that he hasn't received any payment for his alleged services.
Lutfi's attorney, Bryan J. Freedman said in a statement Tuesday that there is "overwhelming evidence from independent witnesses" proving his client's case and that "at the time of the trial in this action, the jury will have an opportunity to weigh the credibility of the witnesses."
Lawyers for Jamie Spears weren't immediately available for comment.
