Britney Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, must sit down to testify in Los Angeles as part of an investigation into his role as a restorer, Judge Brenda Penny ruled Wednesday.
The Los Angeles Superior Court judge found that Jamie, 69, was duly served and did not appear for testimony.
He was ordered to schedule it by August 12.
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears’ legal teams faced looming problems regarding her conservatory at Wednesday’s hearing.britneyspears/Instagram; Getty
Britney Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart previously blasted Jamie for allegedly “running away and hiding” from his own testimony and “holding his wrongdoing – under oath – accountable – as required by law”.
Meanwhile, Jamie’s team is still pushing for Britney, 40, herself to be deposed.
In a filing filed in June, Jamie’s attorney, Alex Weingarten, argued that the “Toxic” singer should be removed because of her “incendiary allegations of various facts,” particularly on social media.
Jamie was appointed Britney’s restorer in February 2008. Corbis via Getty Images
Rosengart argued at Wednesday’s hearing that Britney’s dismissal was “retaliation.”
He also said that his client had no knowledge useful for testimony because she was the Conservative.
The former federal prosecutor added that if Jamie’s team wanted information, he should depose his own client or Britney’s former executive director, Lou Taylor.
Rosengart also told Judge Penny Wednesday that removing Britney would only “retraumatize” his client.
Rosengart began representing Britney after her court-appointed attorney, Sam Ingham, resigned in July 2021. AFP via Getty Images
The judge finally asked both sides to submit briefs by July 22 at the latest as to whether the pop star should be deposed. On July 27, the person will come before the judge again.
Judge Penny also denied Jamie’s request to compel Britney to produce documents and ordered him to release documents and other evidence allegedly in his possession, including the star’s electronic surveillance, Britney’s texts with her former attorney and 180 hours Audio.
The pop star and the disgraced conservator’s legal teams also clashed Wednesday over other issues remaining after her conservatorship ended last November, including Jamie’s request to have his legal fees paid from Britney’s estate.
After Britney’s 13-year conservatorship ended, Jamie was forced to hire attorney Alex Weingarten after his former legal team dumped him. Rosengart has tried to investigate him on suspicion that he has embezzled funds and allegedly spied on his daughter.
Rosengart has claimed Jamie is “abusing legal process” by trying to get Britney removed.britneyspears/Instagram
According to Variety’s December 2021 report, Jamie’s attorney charges about $1,200 an hour.
Rosengart told Page Six at the time that the request for legal fees was made after “Mr. Spears reaped many millions of dollars from Britney as a restorer while paying his attorneys millions more, all from Britney’s labor and hard-earned money.” He added, “Under the circumstances, his petition is not only legally unfounded, it is an abomination.”
Early in conservatoire, Britney’s clinging father received a $40,000 loan in 2008 from her former executive Lou Taylor and her company, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group.
Taylor’s attorney, Charles Harder, previously said Jamie eventually “repaid” the “small loan,” which Harder emphasized “had no effect on Tri Star’s work for the property in later years.”