Britney Spears: Attorney Claims Justin Timberlake Breakup Caused The Singer To Embark On A Downward Spiral
Britney Spears allegedly suffered from depression and “changed” after her breakup with Justin Timberlake, according to statements made by attorney Leon Gladstone in court on Friday. Ironically, on the same day the lawyer hired by the singer’s father, Jamie, made the mental health claims in court, Timberlake married Jessica Biel. As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the singer’s former manager, Sam Lutfi, is suing both the pop star and her parents for libel, defamation, and breach of contract.
The former NYSNC star and Britney broke up in 2003. Gladstone told the jury that the couple had a “big relationship” and it ended painfully for the female pop star. Spears’ parents claim that their daughter changed after the breakup and she became noticeably depressed. Not long after the super star singers split, Britney hopped a plane to Las Vegas and exchanged vows with a childhood friend, E! Online notes. The union lasted a grand total of 55 hours, before the singer allegedly realized that her parents had become concerned about her supposed substance abuse, according to Radar Online.
The libel and defamation portion of the Lutfi lawsuit stems from comments Lynne Spears wrote in a book about her life. The former manager, the signer’s fiancé Jason Trawick, and her parents are all expected to take the witness stand during the trial. Britney has reportedly been excused from testifying be the judge who controls her conservatorship.
Attorney Gladstone also told the jury that the pop star’s life once again took a sad turn in 2006. Her husband, Kevin Federline, filed for divorce, got custody of the kids, and the singer’s drug abuse allegations made headlines. Jamie reportedly staged a drug intervention at his daughter’s house, prompting the singer to agree to a rehab stay in Antigua. Although she initially did not check into the treatment center, she eventually did travel to the rehab, but checked out after one day.
According to Gladstone’s courtroom speech, Britney spent 30 days at the Promises rehab, but was allegedly very upset with her parents for forcing to get treatment. It was during this time that Sam Lutfi met and entered into a business relationship with the pop star.
Lutfi’s attorney, Joe Schleimer, has a different take on how the events unfolded after his client became Spears’ manager. The lawyer argues that Lutfi tried to help her with a substance abuse habit, and was turned down for support in the endeavor by her parents. The beleaguered super star then reportedly took 30 prescription pills and was placed on the now infamous psych hold.
At the end of the first days of testimony, the former manager’s attorney emphasized that The X Factor judge began to turn her life around after Sam entered the picture; but her parents maintained that the singer continued on a downward spiral due to the Justin Timberlake breakup.
