Was Sam Lutfi hired by Team CON? : A Research Thread

[Tar_isa]

58 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

At this point, I suspect that James Spears has been most concerned with keeping Lutfi away from Lynne. 

I agree, especially taking into account all the information we have about 2019: Lutfi's call and money to Lynne to lawyer up, Team Con's filing for a R.O. right away, Lynne actually lawyering up right away, and then in 2020 Jamie Lynn's messages to Britney in order to try and stop Lynne's strategy.

Not to say Jamie wasn't concerned with keeping Lutfi away from Britney, I think he was, especially in the beginning when he kept trying to get Britney in contact with other lawyers etc... but him contacting Lynne could be very dangerous to the Con's status quo. 

 

1 hour ago, Steel Magnolia said:

What occurred prior to October 2007 that they were trying to hide?

I think this is key to everything.

[Steel Magnolia]

5 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

200 hours doing many things "we prefer not to make a matter of record" trying to serve Lutfi with a subpoena to sit for a deposition? That's a lot of time!  Lutfi really didn't want to play along with Jamie/Lou's con plans? This seems so odd.  

Lutfi had already been deposed for the custody case just days before the CON started.

The 200 hours was spent trying to serve him with the restraining order.

Key date:

Jan. 24, 2008 - Sam Lutfi is deposed for the custody case by Mark Vincent Kaplan. TMZ reports that Kaplan wants to know if Britney made a deal with paparazzi agency X17 and if Lutfi is the "bagman."

[Steel Magnolia]

10 minutes ago, RebellionSparkles said:

DING DING DIN DING DING! I have to process the implications. Lutfi, Sands, and Eardley eventually work together...hmmm...so Sands (maybe?) knows the truthful timeline about Lutfi.

So these are the facts...

original RO says Lutfi "inserted" into B's life October 2007. We know this statement is false because we see Lutfi and Lynne at dancing with the stars in May 2007. The current super sleuth consensus is the Lutfi became part of B's life Feb 2007.

Can you remind me when Sand's mentions October 2007? I cant find it rn

 

"Sam was inserted into Britney's life in October," by whom, Sands would not say, "after Britney had already shaved her head and been in two **** rehabs. Sam became her manager, and then her close friend. A manager does get paid." Sands went on to insist that Sam never asked, much less insisted, on being paid more than he deserved as someone in Brit's employ."

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2008/02/x17_xclusive_sam_sets_the_record_straight

Rehab #1 - Antigua
Rehab #2 - Promises
~~~~~~> "After Britney had already shaved her head and been in two **** rehabs."
Rehab #3 - Promises

Although, Sands could be referring to Rehab #2 and Rehab #3 as one rehab...Either way, he's trying to "insert" Lufi into the scenario in October 2007.

For what reason?

Michael Sands...The spokesperson fired by Mark Vincent Kaplan.

[Tar_isa]

31 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Lutfi had already been deposed for the custody case just days before the CON started.

The 200 hours was spent trying to serve him with the restraining order.

Key date:

Jan. 24, 2008 - Sam Lutfi is deposed for the custody case by Mark Vincent Kaplan. TMZ reports that Kaplan wants to know if Britney made a deal with paparazzi agency X17 and if Lutfi is the "bagman."

What if this deposition is what made Lutfi realize they were going to kick him out and make him the bad guy (so his plan to keep being involved in Britney's life after the Con was set up was busted), and that's why he made the desperate move of contacting Eardley and have him write that letter to Britney to try and 'warn' her and become the good guy? 

What if this is also what made Michael Sands jump ship?

[Steel Magnolia]

14 minutes ago, Tar_isa said:

What if this deposition is what made Lutfi realize they were going to kick him out and make him the bad guy (so his plan to keep being involved in Britney's life after the Con was set up was busted), and that's why he made the desperate move of contacting Eardley and have him write that letter to Britney to try and 'warn' her and become the good guy? 

What if this is also what made Michael Sands jump ship?

What a great theory!

I'm going to do a bit of sleuthing this afternoon to see if we can confirm or debunk it.

Note that Sands took major issue with Kaplan taking advantage of Britney's bi-polar diagnosis...And Eardley's letter also mentioned the diagnosis.

I believe the diagnoses came from Dr. Deborah Nadel around that same time following the family court ordering Britney to undergo a 730 mental evaluation...I'll do a dig to see if the dates line up.

[RebellionSparkles]

52 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

That would make sense, since he doesn't officially have power over Lynne.  I found this odd - in this doc https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/16794622/17/1/conservatorship-of-britney-jean-spears-v-britney-j-spears/  (EXHIBIT Notice of Lodging of February 14, 2008 Probate Court Transcript in Connection with Motion to Remand to MOTION to Remand Case to Probate Department of Los Angeles Superior Court 5 filed by Miscellaneous James P. Spears. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A (2.14.08 Probate Court Transcript))(Wexler, Jeffrey) (Entered: 02/20/2008)

 

pp6-8: MS. WYLE: WE HAVE ISSUES REGARDING THE T.R.O. SERVICE THAT WE'D LIKE TO BRING UP WITH YOUR HONOR... WE HAVE -- SINCE THE ORDERS WERE ISSUED ON FEBRUARY 1ST, WE HAVE BEEN USING GREAT EFFORT TO GET MR. LUTFI SERVED. WE HAVE SPENT --OUR INVESTIGATORS HAVE SPENT ALMOST 200 HOURS DOING SO.  WE BELIEVE -- WE'VE BEEN TO THE HOSPITAL, STAKED OUT HIS RESIDENCE, DONE MANY THINGS THAT WE PREFER NOT TO MAKE A MATTER OF RECORD ON SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THEM. WE BELIEVE THAT -- IN FACT, WE HAVE INFORMATION THAT HE IS IN FACT INTENTIONALLY AVOIDING SERVICE AT LEAST."

200 hours doing many things "we prefer not to make a matter of record" trying to serve Lutfi with a subpoena to sit for a deposition? That's a lot of time!  Lutfi really didn't want to play along with Jamie/Lou's con plans? This seems so odd.  

Where did you find that doc? I havent read it before--I've only seen the version below that doesnt have any Exhibits. Is there a stash of court docs that I've been missing?!?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12vvlsE2n_3ddsx-DAvv9h0okY-alTfbM

[RebellionSparkles]

10 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

What a great theory!

I'm going to do a bit of sleuthing this afternoon to see if we can confirm or debunk it.

Note that Sands took major issue with Kaplan taking advantage of Britney's bi-polar diagnosis...And Eardley's letter also mentioned the diagnosis.

I believe the diagnoses came from Dr. Deborah Nadel around that same time following the family court ordering Britney to undergo a 730 mental evaluation...I'll do a dig to see if the dates line up.

Food for thought with the 730 eval--what I learned from reading Nazarian's blog is that these 730 evals are complete B.S. and potentially very predatory for custody battles--that's his opinion anyway. It looks like he did good work "monitoring the monitors"--this was a redeeming part of his story in my view.

[Steel Magnolia]

3 hours ago, RebellionSparkles said:

Food for thought with the 730 eval--what I learned from reading Nazarian's blog is that these 730 evals are complete B.S. and potentially very predatory for custody battles--that's his opinion anyway. It looks like he did good work "monitoring the monitors"--this was a redeeming part of his story in my view.

I haven't had a chance to read Nazarian's blog...

Was he "monitoring" the situation at the time of the two 5150's?

The reason I ask is that Trope & Trope had asked to be relieved of their duties at the beginning of January 2008.

Britney was placed on her first 5150 two days later.

Key date:

Jan. 2, 2008 - Britney's latest custody lawyer, Sorrell Trope of Trope & Trope, asks the court to be relieved of his duties to a "breakdown in communication" with his client. A hearing is set for February 4, 2008 to deal with the motion.

Edited March 14, 2022 by Steel Magnolia

[Ghoulia]

3 hours ago, RebellionSparkles said:

Where did you find that doc? I havent read it before--I've only seen the version below that doesnt have any Exhibits. Is there a stash of court docs that I've been missing?!?

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12vvlsE2n_3ddsx-DAvv9h0okY-alTfbM

Just looking through the docs associated with last name Spears on courtlistener.com!

[Ghoulia]

2 hours ago, Steel Magnolia said:

I haven't had a chance to read Nazarian's blog...

Was he "monitoring" the situation at the time of the two 5150's?

The reason I ask is that Trope & Trope had asked to be relieved of their duties at the beginning of January 2008.

Britney was placed on her first 5150 two days later.

Key date:

Jan. 2, 2008 - Britney's latest custody lawyer, Sorrell Trope of Trope & Trope, asks the court to be relieved of his duties to a "breakdown in communication" with his client. A hearing is set for February 4, 2008 to deal with the motion.

But then they retracted that on Jan 23? https://people.com/celebrity/britney-spearss-lawyers-wont-quit-case/ 

And then filed again on February 8 to be relieved as counsel... https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/britney-spears-saga-whos-representing-62289/

Okay, and this is interesting: 

"Britney's usual attorney is Sorrell Trope, of the firm Trope and Trope, but Streisand told the press that Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet, the co-conservator, wanted Trope removed of her ongoing custody case. Streisand said even said that the next step would be a hearing on whether she lacks capacity to retain an attorney."

 https://www.oneindia.com/2008/02/05/fathers-control-causing-britney-stress-attorney-1202213760.html

[Steel Magnolia]

24 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

But then they retracted that on Jan 23? https://people.com/celebrity/britney-spearss-lawyers-wont-quit-case/ 

Good catch!

Let's assume Nazarian was still on the scene throughout both 5150's...Unless we learn otherwise.

[Ghoulia]

18 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

But then they retracted that on Jan 23? https://people.com/celebrity/britney-spearss-lawyers-wont-quit-case/ 

And then filed again on February 8 to be relieved as counsel... https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/britney-spears-saga-whos-representing-62289/

Okay, and this is interesting: 

"Britney's usual attorney is Sorrell Trope, of the firm Trope and Trope, but Streisand told the press that Jamie and attorney Andrew Wallet, the co-conservator, wanted Trope removed of her ongoing custody case. Streisand said even said that the next step would be a hearing on whether she lacks capacity to retain an attorney."

 https://www.oneindia.com/2008/02/05/fathers-control-causing-britney-stress-attorney-1202213760.html

 

Feb 3, 2008 - So while Brit's custody case is in shambles, the Jeryls' PIs are stalking Lutfi.  Streisand is booted, and Trope is linked to Streisand visiting Brit at UCLA. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/03/dogfight-in-court-tomorrow-over-brit/

Feb 4, 2008 - TMZ says Adam Streisand has just told TMZ in the hallway the conservators (Jamie Spears and Andrew Wallet) have asked the court for the power to terminate the services of Britney's divorce lawyers, Trope and Trope.

Sources tell TMZ Jamie is especially irked that the Trope firm has a good relationship with Jamie's arch enemy, Sam Lutfi. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/jamie-wants-to-s-t-can-brits-divorce-lawyers/ 

[Steel Magnolia]

11 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

 

Feb 3, 2008 - So while Brit's custody case is in shambles, the Jeryls' PIs are stalking Lutfi.  Streisand is booted, and Trope is linked to Streisand visiting Brit at UCLA. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/03/dogfight-in-court-tomorrow-over-brit/

Feb 4, 2008 - TMZ says Adam Streisand has just told TMZ in the hallway the conservators (Jamie Spears and Andrew Wallet) have asked the court for the power to terminate the services of Britney's divorce lawyers, Trope and Trope.

Sources tell TMZ Jamie is especially irked that the Trope firm has a good relationship with Jamie's arch enemy, Sam Lutfi. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/jamie-wants-to-s-t-can-brits-divorce-lawyers/ 

Wow, I remember reading all of these articles at the time they were written...It's trippy reading them again 14 years later!

So how much do you want to bet...

Streisand and Trope & Trope were going to argue for Lynne Spears to become the conservator?

[Ghoulia]

6 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Wow, I remember reading all of these articles at the time they were written...It's trippy reading them again 14 years later!

So how much do you want to bet...

Streisand and Trope & Trope were going to argue for Lynne Spears to become the conservator?

Feb 4, 2008 - Britney's lawyers, Trope and Trope, drafted the subpoena for Michael Sands!! https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/new-subponea-in-brit-case/

Feb 5, 2008 Restraining order filed with Lynne's 5 page statement. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/05/brit-restraining-order-blow-by-blow/

DUDE  

I remember reading these at the time as well.  I distinctly remember telling myself that TMZ and X17 are the enemies, because it seemed like this "dogfight" in court was something only they were reporting on.  I kept having this weird feeling that Britney and Adnan actually kind of made sense as a couple, and it didn't see all that odd that she'd arrange for paps to see her at specific times. Is it possible that TMZ is actually reporting the closest thing to the truth here?  

[Steel Magnolia]

Was this the result of the 730 evaluation?

"This is why they keep pushing the mental illness, multiple personality issue."
 

[Steel Magnolia]

23 minutes ago, Ghoulia said:

Feb 4, 2008 - Britney's lawyers, Trope and Trope, drafted the subpoena for Michael Sands!! https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/new-subponea-in-brit-case/

Feb 5, 2008 Restraining order filed with Lynne's 5 page statement. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/05/brit-restraining-order-blow-by-blow/

DUDE  

I remember reading these at the time as well.  I distinctly remember telling myself that TMZ and X17 are the enemies, because it seemed like this "dogfight" in court was something only they were reporting on.  I kept having this weird feeling that Britney and Adnan actually kind of made sense as a couple, and it didn't see all that odd that she'd arrange for paps to see her at specific times. Is it possible that TMZ is actually reporting the closest thing to the truth here?  

The second link was posted earlier today in this thread, but from "Extra!"

But the first link...I'd forgotten all about them sending a subpoena to Michael Sands. 

I wonder how close in time that was to him being fired/quitting by Mark Vincent Kaplan?

EDIT:

The answer?  

Key dates:

Feb. 4, 2008 - TMZ reports that Michael Sands has been served with a subpoena that was drafted by Trope & Trope.

Feb. 6, 2008 - Sam Lutfi confirms that Michael Sands, the former publicist of Mark Vincent Kaplan, is now working for him.

 

Edited March 14, 2022 by Steel Magnolia

[Steel Magnolia]

Question...

Who did James Spears hire to replace Trope & Trope?

By July of 2008, we have this...

"Last night a deal was struck between Britney and K-Fed and Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan announced the pop star would give sole legal and physical custody of Sean Preston and Jayden James to her ex-husband while she maintains visitation rights, according to Eonline."

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2008/07/omg_brit_gives_up_on_the_kids_gives_kevin_so

"A trial has been averted."

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2008/07/kaplan_trial_averted

EDIT:

James Spears replaced Trope & Trope with...Laura Wasser!

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2008/07/mark_vincent_kaplan_discusses_new_britneykev

[RebellionSparkles]

4 hours ago, Ghoulia said:

 

Feb 3, 2008 - So while Brit's custody case is in shambles, the Jeryls' PIs are stalking Lutfi.  Streisand is booted, and Trope is linked to Streisand visiting Brit at UCLA. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/03/dogfight-in-court-tomorrow-over-brit/

Feb 4, 2008 - TMZ says Adam Streisand has just told TMZ in the hallway the conservators (Jamie Spears and Andrew Wallet) have asked the court for the power to terminate the services of Britney's divorce lawyers, Trope and Trope.

Sources tell TMZ Jamie is especially irked that the Trope firm has a good relationship with Jamie's arch enemy, Sam Lutfi. https://www.tmz.com/2008/02/04/jamie-wants-to-s-t-can-brits-divorce-lawyers/ 

Just catching up! So this prob also explains the Lutfi/Nazarian connection. Trope firm has a good relationship with arch enemy Sam Lutfi…we know that Trope and Trope exclusively used Nazarian’s firm for PI (according to Nazarian wiki page). I think the highest probability is that Lutfi enters the scene in a PI role and possibly works for Nazarian.

[Steel Magnolia]

18 minutes ago, RebellionSparkles said:

Just catching up! So this prob also explains the Lutfi/Nazarian connection. Trope firm has a good relationship with arch enemy Sam Lutfi…we know that Trope and Trope exclusively used Nazarian’s firm for PI (according to Nazarian wiki page). I think the highest probability is that Lutfi enters the scene in a PI role and possibly works for Nazarian.

But Lutfi was on the scene prior to Trope & Trope.

Weren't they hired to replace Laura Wasser?

[Ghoulia]

12 minutes ago, RebellionSparkles said:

Just catching up! So this prob also explains the Lutfi/Nazarian connection. Trope firm has a good relationship with arch enemy Sam Lutfi…we know that Trope and Trope exclusively used Nazarian’s firm for PI (according to Nazarian wiki page). I think the highest probability is that Lutfi enters the scene in a PI role and possibly works for Nazarian.

The whole “200 hours” thing makes me think Lutfi is more skilled than I was giving him credit for 🤪 

I’m still not understanding how Lynne got away with that letter/declaration. Nazarian makes a strong case for WHY she claimed Lutfi was responsible for all of the bad stuff: “Parents that were kept at arms length had a need…” 

https://desperateexes.com/2012/11/02/sam-lutfi-good-guy-screwed-britney-spears-and-parents-walk-money-talks/

“Sam Lutfi is almost a victim of being at the right place at the wrong time. Please, just look at the situation, parents that were kept at arms length had a need. A need to be close, real close, like in the house close, like money close. If ever there was a scenario that screams, ‘ lets keep the money ‘ this one does. Britney Spears, her life, her career, her children and her money have all been hijacked. Something as powerful as *****, that is with fear.”