OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Fox news reported that the conservatorship that Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, holds on Britney has been suspended while she continues to pursue absolute freedom and for the court to rule on the ending of the conservatorship.
Judge Brenda Penny announced to those in attendance this week; “Suspension is in the best interests of Britney Spears.”
“The current situation is not tenable.” reasoned Judge Penny.
A certified public accountant named John Zabel has been appointed by the court to be the temporary conservator of Spears’. He has been assigned the responsibility of overseeing the pop star’s assets until Britney’s challenge to her father’s conservatorship is completely resolved.
Judge Penny stated that her decision is not one that can be reversed by an appeal by Jamie Spears.
The Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles, CA has been the site of #FreeBritney supporters for the entire duration of the hearing. It has been reported that up to 300 fans were waiting outside to show support for Britney during this ruling.
The crowds chanted messages to Judge Penny, encouraging her to “do the right thing” and release Britney from the control of her allegedly abusive father.
During a testimony in June, Britney disclosed the alleged abuses experienced while being monitored by her father. She claimed that he did not allow her to remove her contraception device or marry anyone.
Mathew Rosengart is a former federal prosecutor and now represents Britney in this case. Despite only taking on her case in July, she has been successful in moving her much closer to being free in the past few months.
Rosengart made arguments in favor of suspending the conservatorship while Jamie Spears’ lawyers attempted to make a case to keep in control of her life at this week’s hearing.
Rosengart stated that Britney “wants, needs and deserves an orderly transition” back into being the one who makes decisions about her body and life. Referencing her father Jamie, Rosengart claimed that Britney had “been abused by this man for the last decade and since her childhood.”
“Britney Spears testified under oath about James Spears’ cruelty and toxic presence in her life,” explained Rosengart to the Judge and cited the “mountain of evidence” that required a suspension.
Rosengart claimed that Jamie Spears was at risk of being criminally charged with abuse if he was to be investigated for some of the complaints Britney has made against him.
“He’ll have to answer for that,” Rosengart stated. “Imagine the traumatic impact on her having to sleep in the same bedroom that her father had allegedly tried to bug.”
We Love You!! #FreeBritney pic.twitter.com/72JZrBT225
— Ivy_pop (@isatisfact) September 29, 2021
Vivian Thoreen, who represents Jamie Spears appeared through Zoom, requested that Judge Penny skip the suspension and temporary conservator and begin the process of dissolving the conservation completely.
Thoreen stated that a suspension makes “zero sense” to reiterate that “It makes no sense to delay.” She also argued that Rosengart’s accusations were not evidence and “isn’t even verified”.
Jamie Spears’ attorney also described how he handled his responsibilities during the 13 year conservatorship as “impeccable.”
“She wasn’t crossed examined,” said Thoreen about Britney’s testimony over the summer. Adding, “we don’t know the veracity of her testimony.”
Rosengart was greeted by cheers from Britney’s supporters as he walked out of the courthouse.
As Britney’s birthday approaches in December, her supporters have been repeating the hope that she will be “free by 40”.
“Jamie and others are going to face even more serious ramifications for his misconduct,” promised Rosengart.
When asked about arrests being made in relation to Britney’s living space allegedly being bugged, Rosengart stated that it was for the police to answer that question.
He revealed to the group of reporters gathered that “One question we will ask [Jamie’s] reps is what did they know and when did they know it about eavesdropping listening devices under her bed in her bedroom something that is very, very troubling but that’s for law enforcement, not me to make the ultimate conclusion.”
Britney has recently been able to get engaged to her boyfriend, Sam Asghari, as Rosengart continues to make progress on removing her from her father’s control. Rosengart has described Jamie’s behavior as holding Britney “hostage” as he drags out the conservatorship by demanding money.
After asking for $2 million, Rosengart wrote to the court about Jamie; “As we wrote in our new filing with the Court, however, the quid pro quo preconditions that Mr. Spears’s sought in his August 12, 2021 court filing are inappropriate and unacceptable,”
“Britney Spears will not be bullied or extorted by her father.” added Britney’s attorney.
Jamie’s representatives claimed that the temporary conservator, John Zabel was unfit to be Jamie’s temporary replacement.
Rosengart responded with a statement of his own, saying: “As Mr. Spears should know, California law expressly allows licensed CPA’s to serve, and the nominee, John Zabel, is a highly-esteemed, nationally-recognized award-winning CPA with an impeccable record of serving in positions of trust—in stark contrast to Mr. Spears, a reported alcoholic and gambling addict, with zero financial background or experience in financial matters, who previously filed for bankruptcy and has a Domestic Violence Restraining Order currently in effect against him. Mr. Zabel will also be supported by Ms. Spears’s business management and forensic accounting teams.”
And adding; “Mr. Spears’s desperation to avoid suspension is self-evident and self-serving. He wants to escape justice and accountability (but will not) and he will evidently do or say anything to avoid it. He knows that when he is suspended he must turn over the conservatorship files, including purported attorney-client privileged documents (communications with his lawyers), to the new temporary conservator.”
The next, and possible final hearing is scheduled for Nov. 12 where Britney will learn whether the conservatorship will be completely lifted.
