A restraining order against the man who’s been at Britney Spears’ side during her downward spiral portrays him as a Svengali figure who held her a virtual hostage in her home, drugged her, took over her finances and controlled the ravenous paparazzi “like a general.”
The order against 33-year-old Sam Lutfi was based on a lengthy declaration from Spears’ mother, Lynne, who says they met in October 2007, when he “essentially moved into Britney’s home and has purported to take control of her life, home and finances.”
Lynne Spears’ account of a long, chaotic night at Britney’s home depicted a drugged and confused pop star being led around by Lutfi, who was setting up pictures for the paparazzi even as she was spinning out of control.
The documents released by the court Tuesday ordered Lutfi to stay away from Spears, her homes, her parents and siblings’ homes and the hospital where she is confined for psychiatric evaluation.
On Monday, Lutfi told The Associated Press in a text message: “I have no problems with anyone writing anything negative against me. My image is not of concern, hers is.” He has not responded to further inquiry.
Lynne Spears said in the order that Lutfi “drugged Britney, he has cut Britney’s home phone lines and removed her cell phone chargers. He yells at her. He claims to control everything — Britney’s business manager, her attorneys and the security guards at the gate.”
Much of the 6-page declaration centers on the night of Jan. 28, just a few days before Spears was whisked by police and ambulance to a hospital psychiatric ward, where she remained Tuesday night. Her mother outlined increasingly bizarre behavior through the night, and said her daughter asked at one point, “When do I get to see my babies?” to which Lutfi answered, “Wednesday.”
Spears has been in court with ex-husband Kevin Federline over custody of their two small children, 1-year-old Jayden James and 2-year-old Sean Preston. She lost visitation rights last month after refusing to hand them back over to their father.
Lynne Spears described a harrowing night that stretched into the wee hours when she, her husband and a friend went to Britney’s home because they’d heard Britney was crying after a fight with Lutfi. Once inside, Lynne Spears said she was told by Lutfi that her daughter didn’t want anyone but her in the house and she was afraid to see her father.
Lynne Spears also said there were several photoggraphers present, who deferred to Lutfi. “The paparazzi reported to Sam and addressed him with great respect,” she said. “They treated him like a general.” Read the rest of this entry »