Blair Berk and the Conservatorship : A Research Thread

[Justin Woodpond]

21 hours ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Great finds!

It feels like we're starting to zero in on the kinds of questions we should be asking.

Berk often represents celebrity clients who have run afoul with the law...So it makes sense that Berk and Wyman would work together on cases.

Now what is the explanation for her relationship with Lutfi?

He obviously "serves a purpose" for lawyers like Berk or there is some sort of cross-over in his work, or he wouldn't appear so frequently in her orbit.
 

 

This might be a real stretch, but here goes nothing.

It's been bugging me all day yesterday as to who Blair Berk husband is. So, I do some digging. Turns out he’s named Daniel Zelik Berk, and according to his IMDB he’s occasionally a producer of second / third rate Hollywood movies.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0075263/

Who else do we know with a similar background? Yip, Sam Lufti, who according to his IMDB is also occasionally a producer of second / third rate Hollywood movies.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0527399/

Coincidance maybe. But, as Woody Allen likes to say, “everyone knows everyone in this industry”. Take note!

There’s always that one person on a production, who’s always on hand to deliver the packages, the white substances, the impossible to get tickets on short notice. Lufti appears to be that person to me. The gofer of gofers. 

Its not ridiculous to think, that one night while reading in bed, Blair turns to her husband and says know anyone who can ______? To which her husband replies yeah, I know a guy named Osama.

So your theory about Lufti being hired by Berk is not all that implausible. I still think it was Kaplan, but the tables are definitely turning. Have Berk and Kaplan ever worked together before in any capacity?

Something else I came across about Blair. You mentioned that she “often represented clients who run afoul with the law”.

Apparently, according to Twitter (so take it as you will), Blair was specifically brought into the fold to provide “historical information” regarding Britney during the conservatorship’s initial conception. What exactly did she know about Britney that would convince a judge she needed to be stripped of her rights immediately. And by providing this info or “dirt” did she breach Client Attorney Privilege? 

More and more, Berk appears to be “the” key figure in all this, the “glue” of it all so to speak. Lou does the paperwork. Blair works her “black magic”. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by Justin Woodpond

[Steel Magnolia]

2 hours ago, Justin Woodpond said:

This might be a real stretch, but here goes nothing.

It's been bugging me all day yesterday as to who Blair Berk husband is. So, I do some digging. Turns out he’s named Daniel Zelik Berk, and according to his IMDB he’s occasionally a producer of second / third rate Hollywood movies.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0075263/

Who else do we know with a similar background? Yip, Sam Lufti, who according to his IMDB is also occasionally a producer of second / third rate Hollywood movies.

https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0527399/

Coincidance maybe. But, as Woody Allen likes to say, “everyone knows everyone in this industry”. Take note!

There’s always that one person on a production, who’s always on hand to deliver the packages, the white substances, the impossible to get tickets on short notice. Lufti appears to be that person to me. The gofer of gofers. 

Its not ridiculous to think, that one night while reading in bed, Blair turns to her husband and says know anyone who can ______? To which her husband replies yeah, I know a guy named Osama.

So your theory about Lufti being hired by Berk is not that implausible. I still think it was Kaplan, but the tables are definitely turning.

Something else I came across about Blair. You mentioned that she “often represented clients who run afoul with the law”.

Apparently, according to Twitter (so take it as you will), Blair was specifically brought into the fold to provide “historical information” regarding Britney during the conservatorship’s initial conception. What exactly did she know about Britney that would convince a judge she needed to be stripped of her rights immediately. And by providing this info or “dirt” did she breach Client Attorney Privilege? 

More and more, Berk appears to be “the” key figure in all this, the “glue” of it all so to speak. Lou does the paperwork. Blair works her “black magic”. 

Berk does appear the be the glue that holds it all together.

The "historical information" line comes from this declaration by Geraldine Wyle.

Page 4:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f6faddf8ed7155b91ae16a7/t/5f9e1dff11f67f690abca0e4/1604197889508/2008.09.12+Declaration+of+Geraldine+Wyle+in+Support+of+Petition+for+Fees.pdf

Then scroll down to Page 12...

It was Berk who was negotiating with Lutfi and his lawyer as to his restraining order.

Who in the world gets to negotiate the terms of their own restraining order?!

Apparently Sam Lutfi does. 

[Steel Magnolia]

Do we know the dates that each of Berk's cases occurred?

What order did these transpire in?
 

 

EDIT: 


Britney Spears:

February 21, 2007
https://dlisted.com/2007/02/21/every-breath-you-take/

Lindsay Lohan:

July 25, 2007
https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-LB-4180

Samuel Barth:

Case Number: BS128349
SAMUEL BARTH VS. OSAMA LUTFI

Filing Date: 09/10/2010
Case Type: Civil Harassment (General Jurisdiction)
Status: Pending

Parties

BARTH SAMUEL – Plaintiff/Petitioner
BERK BLAIR ESQ. – Attorney for Plaintiff/Petitioner
LUTFI OSAMA – Defendant/Respondent
SAM LUTFI – Defendant/Respondent’s AKA

Courtney Love:

TBD

 

[Steel Magnolia]

Circling back around...

The reason Lutfi was most likely able to negotiate the terms of his own restraining order in February of 2008 was because of the information he held.

Lynne's book, "Through The Storm," had not yet been released...Only Lynne's declaration had been released to the public.

From this article written by my old sleuthing buddy, Carmela:

"Berk’s involvement with Lutfi didn’t end in spring of 2008.  She testified in April 2009 that Lutfi texted her on the evening of Jan. 10, 2009 requesting that she meet with him.  Subsequent to the text message Lutfi made clear to her that there was “embarrassing information that he was fearful would be released about him.”  He said that unless Berk suppressed the information that “destructive and unflattering information would be released” about Jamie and Britney.

“I immediately contacted law enforcement because of the extortive nature of Mr. Lutfi’s threats.  I took action to continue to communicating with him because I felt, based on my unfortunately 20 years of dealing with alleged extortionists and those that would extort my clients, that he would continue in his threats, extortive threats,” Berk said."

Source: https://breatheheavy.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/media-omits-blair-berk-from-case-against-sam-lutfi/
 

[Justin Woodpond]

Well, well. What “historical information” does Berk have on Britney? More significantly, when was she involved in her legal/criminal affairs prior to 2007/2008? Other than the publicised Feb 2007 visit?

I thought the exact same thing when I read it. Who gets to negotiate their TRO terms? But it makes more sense after you pointed out that Lufti has dirt on Jamie and Britney. What embarrassing info does Lufti not want exposed? He’s hardly a respected A List celeb, at this point he has nothing left to be embarrassed about! BTW, why is Lufti’s lawyer’s name retracted? 

Berk and Lufti (literally) came face to face ) in a civil suit in September 2010. Lufti was representing himself and Berk represented Debroah Barth, the mother of young actor, Samuel Barth, whom Lufti had become absolutely obsessed with (and his family) after allowing Barth to live rent free in his home. Debroad accused Lufti of repeatedly harassing her and her family.

https://trellis.law/case/BS128351/DEBORAH-BARTH-VS.-OSAMA-LUTFI

https://www.tmz.com/2010/09/10/britney-spears-friend-sam-lutfi-restraining-order-samuel-barth/

Berk represented Lindsay from 2006 through July 2007 and Jan 2008 to finally ending their professional relationship in Oct 2009. According to reports, Lohan sought “friendly legal advice” from Berk in Feb 2011 when she faced grand theft charges.

Has Berk actually represented Courtney Love? Barry Tarlow, who is a partner (with Berk in Tarlow & Berk), has personally represented Love. He’s been her criminal defence attorney since as far back as 1994 (when she faced **** charges). 

Edited August 14, 2021 by Justin Woodpond

[Steel Magnolia]

3 hours ago, Justin Woodpond said:

Well, well. What “historical information” does Berk have on Britney? More significantly, when was she involved in her legal/criminal affairs prior to 2007/2008? Other than the publicised Feb 2007 visit?

I thought the exact same thing when I read it. Who gets to negotiate their TRO terms? But it makes more sense after you pointed out that Lufti has dirt on Jamie and Britney. What embarrassing info does Lufti not want exposed? He’s hardly a respected A List celeb, at this point he has nothing left to be embarrassed about! BTW, why is Lufti’s lawyer’s name retracted? 

Berk and Lufti (literally) came face to face ) in a civil suit in September 2010. Lufti was representing himself and Berk represented Debroah Barth, the mother of young actor, Samuel Barth, whom Lufti had become absolutely obsessed with (and his family) after he allowing Barth to live rent free in his home. Debroad accused Lufti repeatedly harassed her and her family.

https://trellis.law/case/BS128351/DEBORAH-BARTH-VS.-OSAMA-LUTFI

https://www.tmz.com/2010/09/10/britney-spears-friend-sam-lutfi-restraining-order-samuel-barth/

Berk represented Lindsay from 2006 through July 2007 and Jan 2008 to finally ending their professional relationship in Oct 2009. According to reports, Lohan sought “friendly legal advice” from Berk in Feb 2011 when she face gran theft charges.

Has Berk actually represented Courtney Love? Barry Tarlow, who is a partner (with Berk€ in Tarlow & Berk, has personally represented Love. He’s been her criminal defence attorney since as far back as 1994 (when she faced **** charges). 

I also wondered if there was more "historical information" than the February 21, 2007 visit to Berk's office.
Perhaps it played into the custody case far more than we suspect, as Berk accompanied Britney to a least one custody hearing after the conservatorship was created.

Why bring along a criminal defence attorney in addition to a custody lawyer? 

February 2, 2008:

"The parents sat with attorney Blair Berk throughout the hearing, smiling and embracing after the announcement."

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2008/02/02/britney-spears-dad-gets-temporary-control-restraining-order-against-manager/

"Another team of lawyers was hired for the conservators and quickly set out to assess the financial damage. Yet another lawyer was appointed by the probate court, as is routine, to look out solely for Spears’ interests. Spears’ brother Bryan, along with a lawyer, were given control of her revocable trust, which contains all her liquid assets, so they could begin paying her bills. And Spears’ criminal lawyer, Blair Berk, was said to be overseeing the whole Humpty Dumpty-like effort."

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/business/media/25britney.html

May 6, 2008:

"Britney’s custody lawyer Stacey Phillips just walked into the courtroom with a team of attorneys."

"Blair Berk won’t let go of Britney. She is constantly holding her hand and whispering in her ear.

Berk is the only one Britney is talking to."

https://www.accessonline.com/articles/updated-custody-hearing-over-britney-leaves-court-63436

...

As for Courtney Love and Lindsay Lohan, conservatorships and/or guardianship were threatened in relation to both, and Lutfi was involved at the same time as both...I just haven't been able to track down firm dates through a quick Google search.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/01/lindsay-lohan-harassed-britney-spears-ex-manager-sam-lutfi/

...

As for Lutfi's reputation, he likes to call himself a "problem solver."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2798412/sam-lutfi-attempts-clear-problem-solver-stars-bizarre-open-letter.html

He wrote the article while this was going on:

"Meanwhile, Bynes is reportedly furious with her parents after been 'tricked' into getting committed into psychiatric care.

The troubled actress fell for an elaborate ruse set up my her mother, father and Britney's Spears former manager Sam Lufti, to get her on a plane to LA from New York and take her to a Pasadena mental facility." 

 

[Y2KLady]

On 8/12/2021 at 9:54 PM, Steel Magnolia said:

As for Lynne...

From here on out, every time she blames something on Lutfi I'm going to assume she's lying, and that she's actually covering up for something she did herself.

The same goes for Lutfi...Every time he tries to blame something on Lynne, I'm going to assume he's covering up for something he did.

The two of them are like magicians who use sleight of hand to distract the audience.

It's notable that following the drugging incident that landed Britney in Promises, Ali, who was a witness to it, sided with Lutfi.

I wonder if Ali will confirm or deny other details, if she were to be asked a direct and pointed question? 

Thanks so much for this great sleuthing, @Steel Magnolia. I think you've hit on some key questions regarding those specific time periods.

Alli Sims is one of the keys to unlocking these questions. Now is the time for her to work with an attorney, give a sworn deposition to Mathew Rosengart, and not GAF about potentially violating NDA(s) which she was pressured into signing. Team Con is going down. She does not NEED to worry about a potential lawsuit in violation of NDA(s). There's a whole lot more at stake for Team Con at this point than pursuing litigation against her.

The conservatorship controllers' cover has been blown for quite some time. Alli has recently been vocal about supporting Britney. The most effective way for her to do so is to work with Rosengart and his team. 

To a lesser extent, I'd argue that Adnan Ghalib could also provide context in uncovering the precise relationship that existed between Sam Lutfi and Lynne Spears in 2007.

I regard Alli as a more trustworthy witness, however, and would love to see her truly support her cousin. 

[Y2KLady]

1 hour ago, Steel Magnolia said:

I also wondered if there was more "historical information" than the February 21, 2007 visit to Berk's office.
Perhaps it played into the custody case far more than we suspect, as Berk accompanied Britney to a least one custody hearings after the conservatorship was created.

Why bring along a criminal defence attorney in addition to a custody lawyer? 

February 2, 2008:

"The parents sat with attorney Blair Berk throughout the hearing, smiling and embracing after the announcement."

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2008/02/02/britney-spears-dad-gets-temporary-control-restraining-order-against-manager/

"Another team of lawyers was hired for the conservators and quickly set out to assess the financial damage. Yet another lawyer was appointed by the probate court, as is routine, to look out solely for Spears’ interests. Spears’ brother Bryan, along with a lawyer, were given control of her revocable trust, which contains all her liquid assets, so they could begin paying her bills. And Spears’ criminal lawyer, Blair Berk, was said to be overseeing the whole Humpty Dumpty-like effort."

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/25/business/media/25britney.html

May 6, 2008:

"Britney’s custody lawyer Stacey Phillips just walked into the courtroom with a team of attorneys."

"Blair Berk won’t let go of Britney. She is constantly holding her hand and whispering in her ear.

Berk is the only one Britney is talking to."

https://www.accessonline.com/articles/updated-custody-hearing-over-britney-leaves-court-63436

...

As for Courtney Love and Lindsay Lohan, conservatorships and/or guardianship were threatened in relation to both, and Lutfi was involved at the same time as both...I just haven't been able to track down firm dates through a quick Google search.

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2012/01/lindsay-lohan-harassed-britney-spears-ex-manager-sam-lutfi/

...

As for Lutfi's reputation, he likes to call himself a "problem solver."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2798412/sam-lutfi-attempts-clear-problem-solver-stars-bizarre-open-letter.html

He wrote the article while this was going on:

"Meanwhile, Bynes is reportedly furious with her parents after been 'tricked' into getting committed into psychiatric care.

The troubled actress fell for an elaborate ruse set up my her mother, father and Britney's Spears former manager Sam Lufti, to get her on a plane to LA from New York and take her to a Pasadena mental facility." 

 

I mean...my jaw is on the floor. 

It is my opinion that Britney was set up for sham stays in rehab by Blair Berk, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and potentially others.

I am still not convinced that KFed and Mark Kaplan were involved. Do I have this right:

• Britney and KFed are locked in a custody battle over their kids. One avenue for KFed to win custody is for Britney to be deemed an unfit parent.
• Lynne Spears is desperate to create an intervention in Britney's life. Sam Lutfi, who at some point had a professional relationship with Blair Berk's husband, is now acting as Britney's so-called "manager." It is important to note that "manager" here seems to translate as "yes man" and "gofer," i.e., responsible for Starbucks runs, lunch/dinner deliveries, chauffeur, etc. 
• Blair Berk has a steering role with Promises and a pre-existing, professional relationship with Britney. Lynne has been trying to contact Britney for some time, who will not speak to her. Lynne has resorted to contacting members of Britney's social and professional circle to gain access to her daughter. It is probable that Lynne contacted Blair. Blair may have remembered Sam Lutfi from his earlier days of working with Blair's husband, and potentially concocted a more conciliatory route to working with Lutfi in order to intervene in Britney's life. The goal was to check Britney into Promises.
• It benefits KFed and his custody case for Britney to be checked into Promises.
• It is possible that Blair, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and Betty Wyman created a scenario where Britney is accused of using specific *****, which may have been planted in her home; OR, considering Alli Sims' new allegations, that Lynne Spears crushed pills and dissolved them into Britney's drink. If that is true, Britney then felt the effect of those *****, was taken to Promises, and checked in for rehab. 
• The next day, Britney questions her stay in Promises, asks for a burden of proof from the facility, and is told that there is no data on-file necessitating her stay. She leaves, and contacts TMZ to say that her stay there was a sham.
• There is now a history of Britney checking in and out of a rehab facility in California, which can be considered as proof of an unfit parent in a custodial rights battle. 

Fast forwarding, it is also my opinion that these particular members of Team Con realized that they could monetize conservatorships in managing the actions and, therefore, assets of celebrities who were struggling with mental health issues and/or substance abuse. They implemented similar scenarios in order to enrich themselves with other high-profile actresses and musicians. 

Disgusting.

[Steel Magnolia]

8 hours ago, Y2KLady said:

I mean...my jaw is on the floor. 

It is my opinion that Britney was set up for sham stays in rehab by Blair Berk, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and potentially others.

I am still not convinced that KFed and Mark Kaplan were involved. Do I have this right:

• Britney and KFed are locked in a custody battle over their kids. One avenue for KFed to win custody is for Britney to be deemed an unfit parent.
• Lynne Spears is desperate to create an intervention in Britney's life. Sam Lutfi, who at some point had a professional relationship with Blair Berk's husband, is now acting as Britney's so-called "manager." It is important to note that "manager" here seems to translate as "yes man" and "gofer," i.e., responsible for Starbucks runs, lunch/dinner deliveries, chauffeur, etc. 
• Blair Berk has a steering role with Promises and a pre-existing, professional relationship with Britney. Lynne has been trying to contact Britney for some time, who will not speak to her. Lynne has resorted to contacting members of Britney's social and professional circle to gain access to her daughter. It is probable that Lynne contacted Blair. Blair may have remembered Sam Lutfi from his earlier days of working with Blair's husband, and potentially concocted a more conciliatory route to working with Lutfi in order to intervene in Britney's life. The goal was to check Britney into Promises.
• It benefits KFed and his custody case for Britney to be checked into Promises.
• It is possible that Blair, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and Betty Wyman created a scenario where Britney is accused of using specific *****, which may have been planted in her home; OR, considering Alli Sims' new allegations, that Lynne Spears crushed pills and dissolved them into Britney's drink. If that is true, Britney then felt the effect of those *****, was taken to Promises, and checked in for rehab. 
• The next day, Britney questions her stay in Promises, asks for a burden of proof from the facility, and is told that there is no data on-file necessitating her stay. She leaves, and contacts TMZ to say that her stay there was a sham.
• There is now a history of Britney checking in and out of a rehab facility in California, which can be considered as proof of an unfit parent in a custodial rights battle. 

Fast forwarding, it is also my opinion that these particular members of Team Con realized that they could monetize conservatorships in managing the actions and, therefore, assets of celebrities who were struggling with mental health issues and/or substance abuse. They implemented similar scenarios in order to enrich themselves with other high-profile actresses and musicians. 

Disgusting.

Answers in red.

Do I have this right:

• Britney and KFed are locked in a custody battle over their kids. One avenue for KFed to win custody is for Britney to be deemed an unfit parent. Correct.
• Lynne Spears is desperate to create an intervention in Britney's life. Correct. Sam Lutfi, who at some point had a professional relationship with Blair Berk's husband, is now acting as Britney's so-called "manager." He did not become her "manager" until 8 months later, in October 2007, when she lost all custody. It is important to note that "manager" here seems to translate as "yes man" and "gofer," i.e., responsible for Starbucks runs, lunch/dinner deliveries, chauffeur, etc. We haven't nailed down how Berk and Lutfi originally met, but have speculated it could be through the film business since her husband and Lutfi both have producer credits on B movies.
• Blair Berk has a steering role with Promises Perhaps. That needs further confirmation. and a pre-existing, professional relationship with Britney. Yes. Although we don't know what extent beyond her February 21, 2007 visit. Lynne has been trying to contact Britney for some time, who will not speak to her. Lynne has resorted to contacting members of Britney's social and professional circle to gain access to her daughter. Correct, although the relationship had not completely fractured by February 2007. It is probable that Lynne contacted Blair. We have not established that. Blair may have remembered Sam Lutfi from his earlier days of working with Blair's husband, Perhaps, although Lutfi considers himself a "problem solver" in Hollywood so he may be more of a "fixer" than a producer. and potentially concocted a more conciliatory route to working with Lutfi in order to intervene in Britney's life. The goal was to check Britney into Promises. Correct.
• It benefits KFed and his custody case for Britney to be checked into Promises. Correct.
• It is possible that Blair, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and Betty Wyman created a scenario where Britney is accused of using specific *****, which may have been planted in her home; OR, considering Alli Sims' new allegations, that Lynne Spears crushed pills and dissolved them into Britney's drink. If that is true, Britney then felt the effect of those *****, was taken to Promises, and checked in for rehab. Both are correct. Possible.
• The next day, Britney questions her stay in Promises, asks for a burden of proof from the facility, and is told that there is no data on-file necessitating her stay. She leaves, and contacts TMZ to say that her stay there was a sham. Correct. Although she did not contact TMZ until after she was released, and it is likely that Lutfi contacted TMZ on her behalf.
• There is now a history of Britney checking in and out of a rehab facility in California, which can be considered as proof of an unfit parent in a custodial rights battle. Correct. This may have contributed to the judge stating that she was a "frequent and habitual" user of *****, to her having to be **** tested, and to eventually losing custody in October 2007 (although she did contribute to much of that herself by consistently thumbing her nose at the courts.)

I had originally thought that Lutfi was hired by Mark Vincent Kaplan because of this:

Quote

[From In Touch, print edition, March 10, 2008]:

"Kalie Machado claims that while she was Britney’s assistant, she received a call from a man “at a restricted number” who said he was a private investigator working for Brit’s ex husband Kevin Federline. That man was Sam. “He said he had incriminating evidence on Britney and he was going to hand it over to me,” she recalls. “We arranged to meet in a Santa Monica Starbucks.”

Kalie was nervous, so she brought her roommate with her. She says she spent 20 minutes listening to Sam talk and when she demanded to see the evidence, he instead “asked all kinds of stalkerish questions – like when we leave the house and where Britney and I went.”

Finally, Kalie realized that Sam had nothing and left. “I got more calls from Sam after that,” she remembers, “but I just ignored them.”

Kalie stopped working for Britney… in February, 2007 and moved to San Francisco. Months later, she says she saw a photo on the Internet that made her stomach drop. “It was Britney, standing next to the man I met in Starbucks – Sam Lutfi. I got a chill down my spine.”

However...

The more we dig into this, the more it appears it is more likely for Blair Berk to have hired Lutfi than for Mark Vincent Kaplan to have hired Lutfi...Despite Lutfi's claim when he initially contacted Kalie Machado that he was a private investigator working for Kevin Federline.

 

 

[Steel Magnolia]

A few reasons why Lutfi is more likely to have been hired by Blair Berk than by Mark Vincent Kaplan:

Context:

• Kevin Federline already had the "upper hand" by being the boys' father. His access to Britney's fortune was already "baked in" by association. (However, his monthly payments could rise substantially if he were to be awarded full custody.)
• Lynne Spears, Jamie Spears (along with Larry Rudolph) were gradually being shut out of Britney's life and cut off from her fortune. As time went on, they risked being cut out altogether. Therefore, they had more to lose than Federline and were forced to glom on to him to increase their chances of a financial windfall.

Relationships:

• Lynne Spears' explanation for how she first met Lutfi is both vague and eyebrow-raising. (An anonymous phone call telling her that ***** had been planted in Britney's home prior to her entering rehab. And then shoe and jewelry endorsements and a trip to Dancing With The Stars. Really?)
• Lutfi continued to report back to Lynne Spears and attempt to broker a peace between her and Britney throughout the summer of 2007.

Events:

• Kaplan deposed Lutfi in the custody case in the summer of 2007. Why ask for testimony from someone you've hired yourself?
• Kaplan deposed Larry Rudolph in the custody case in the autumn of 2007 and specifically asked about the time period during the February 2007 intervention. Again, why pry into a time period in which your own hands are dirty?
• Berk continued to work for the conservatorship after February of 2008, accompanying Britney and her custody lawyer to hearings in which Kaplan was their opponent.
• Berk "negotiated" Lutfi's restraining order following the conservatorship being put in place, choosing not to pursue it after July of 2008.
• Lutfi cordially asked to meet with Berk at her office in January of 2009 to discuss the incident where his sister gave Britney a cell phone. Why ask to meet with someone without there already being an established relationship?
• Lutfi reached out to Lynne Spears in a friendly phone call in April of 2019 and offered to give her money to hire a lawyer to pursue the conservator's position herself. If he was truly advocating for Britney, why not ask Lynne to terminate the conservatorship?

Of course, there's a possibility that Berk did not hire Lutfi at all...and that he was hired directly by Lynne Spears, perhaps through other connections such as Larry Rudolph or Lou Taylor. (Or maybe nobody hired him...Maybe he simply glommed on to a family going through a turbulent time?)

Either way...

The close connections between Lynne Spears and Sam Lutfi are much more prevalent than the connections between Mark Vincent Kaplan, Kevin Federline, and Sam Lutfi. 

Lynne Spears and Sam Lutfi appear to come as a package deal.

Blair Berk works for the Spears family — not for Kevin Federline.

[Steel Magnolia]

Maybe we're looking at this all wrong?

Maybe Blair Berk was never retained by Britney...in 2007 or in 2008 or in 2009?

Maybe she was retained by Lynne Spears?

 

[Bigno]

I am not surprised, but I cant help but feel utterly disgusted. These people are just garbage. Scum of Earth.  And to think Lynne is the "good parent" LOL! 

[Doja Kitten]

It’s the awkward looking *** photo in which she’s trying look badass for me

[Y2KLady]

17 hours ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Answers in red.

Do I have this right:

• Britney and KFed are locked in a custody battle over their kids. One avenue for KFed to win custody is for Britney to be deemed an unfit parent. Correct.
• Lynne Spears is desperate to create an intervention in Britney's life. Correct. Sam Lutfi, who at some point had a professional relationship with Blair Berk's husband, is now acting as Britney's so-called "manager." He did not become her "manager" until 8 months later, in October 2007, when she lost all custody. It is important to note that "manager" here seems to translate as "yes man" and "gofer," i.e., responsible for Starbucks runs, lunch/dinner deliveries, chauffeur, etc. We haven't nailed down how Berk and Lutfi originally met, but have speculated it could be through the film business since her husband and Lutfi both have producer credits on B movies.
• Blair Berk has a steering role with Promises Perhaps. That needs further confirmation. and a pre-existing, professional relationship with Britney. Yes. Although we don't know what extent beyond her February 21, 2007 visit. Lynne has been trying to contact Britney for some time, who will not speak to her. Lynne has resorted to contacting members of Britney's social and professional circle to gain access to her daughter. Correct, although the relationship had not completely fractured by February 2007. It is probable that Lynne contacted Blair. We have not established that. Blair may have remembered Sam Lutfi from his earlier days of working with Blair's husband, Perhaps, although Lutfi considers himself a "problem solver" in Hollywood so he may be more of a "fixer" than a producer. and potentially concocted a more conciliatory route to working with Lutfi in order to intervene in Britney's life. The goal was to check Britney into Promises. Correct.
• It benefits KFed and his custody case for Britney to be checked into Promises. Correct.
• It is possible that Blair, Lynne Spears, Sam Lutfi, and Betty Wyman created a scenario where Britney is accused of using specific *****, which may have been planted in her home; OR, considering Alli Sims' new allegations, that Lynne Spears crushed pills and dissolved them into Britney's drink. If that is true, Britney then felt the effect of those *****, was taken to Promises, and checked in for rehab. Both are correct. Possible.
• The next day, Britney questions her stay in Promises, asks for a burden of proof from the facility, and is told that there is no data on-file necessitating her stay. She leaves, and contacts TMZ to say that her stay there was a sham. Correct. Although she did not contact TMZ until after she was released, and it is likely that Lutfi contacted TMZ on her behalf.
• There is now a history of Britney checking in and out of a rehab facility in California, which can be considered as proof of an unfit parent in a custodial rights battle. Correct. This may have contributed to the judge stating that she was a "frequent and habitual" user of *****, to her having to be **** tested, and to eventually losing custody in October 2007 (although she did contribute to much of that herself by consistently thumbing her nose at the courts.)

I had originally thought that Lutfi was hired by Mark Vincent Kaplan because of this:

However...

The more we dig into this, the more it appears it is more likely for Blair Berk to have hired Lutfi than for Mark Vincent Kaplan to have hired Lutfi...Despite Lutfi's claim when he initially contacted Kalie Machado that he was a private investigator working for Kevin Federline.

 

 

Fascinating. Thank you so much!

In another post, you mentioned that you believe that Lynne Spears and Sam Lutfi are a package deal in reconstructing events from 2007. I believe that is correct. All members in this scenario have dissembled and sidestepped accountability for years. We want the truth.

[Y2KLady]

11 hours ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Maybe we're looking at this all wrong?

Maybe Blair Berk was never retained by Britney...in 2007 or in 2008 or in 2009?

Maybe she was retained by Lynne Spears?

 

I would love to know the answer! It gets difficult to track once we start pinpointing peoples' connections and how they networked to affiliate themselves. ;)

I wonder if the question is, when specifically was Blair Berk hired by someone in the Spears family (either Britney, Lynne, or someone else)? Why does Britney need criminal defense representation?

[Y2KLady]

12 hours ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Of course, there's a possibility that Berk did not hire Lutfi at all...and that he was hired directly by Lynne Spears, perhaps through other connections such as Larry Rudolph or Lou Taylor. (Or maybe nobody hired him...Maybe he simply glommed on to a family going through a turbulent time?)

Yes, yes, yes! I've always thought that Sam Lutfi happened to insinuate himself into Britney's circle because he wanted to get close to her for his own purposes. It always seemed to me that he liked the proximity to her and once he gained her trust, he began exploiting her to make a few extra (thousand) bucks by collaborating with the paparazzi.

Don't you think the truth is sloppier?

Like, Sam Lutfi was cruising with Britney, and then switched allegiances to help out Lynne Spears and Blair Berk once he decided that it wouldn't be half a bad idea to create an intervention in Britney's life. Something like this scenario happened. And therefore Sam Lutfi, Lynne Spears, and Blair Berk were tied together for a long *** time.

[Steel Magnolia]

4 hours ago, Y2KLady said:

Yes, yes, yes! I've always thought that Sam Lutfi happened to insinuate himself into Britney's circle because he wanted to get close to her for his own purposes. It always seemed to me that he liked the proximity to her and once he gained her trust, he began exploiting her to make a few extra (thousand) bucks by collaborating with the paparazzi.

Don't you think the truth is sloppier?

Like, Sam Lutfi was cruising with Britney, and then switched allegiances to help out Lynne Spears and Blair Berk once he decided that it wouldn't be half a bad idea to create an intervention in Britney's life. Something like this scenario happened. And therefore Sam Lutfi, Lynne Spears, and Blair Berk were tied together for a long *** time.

But here's the thing...

Lutfi appeared to have met Lynne Spears first.

According to her book, "Through The Storm," Lutfi anonymously called her cell phone "before Britney went into Promises, after she shaved her head," to tell her that ***** had been planted in Britney's Malibu home. He told her it was a conspiracy between Kevin and Britney's assistants to make Britney look like a bad mother. Three months later, they attended a taping of Dancing With The Stars together, and also discussed shoe and jewelry endorsement deals.

***** planted in Britney's home? What a vague, bizarre detail to include in her book!

It wasn't until after Britney was released from rehab in March of 2007 that Britney and Lutfi appeared to have met. They were first photographed together in June of 2007, and by that point he was chauffeuring Britney and Ali Simms around town.

So if Lutfi switched allegiances, he switched from Lynne to Britney — not the other way around.

[Y2KLady]

1 hour ago, Steel Magnolia said:

But here's the thing...

Lutfi appeared to have met Lynne Spears first.

According to her book, "Through The Storm," Lutfi anonymously called her cell phone "before Britney went into Promises, after she shaved her head," to tell her that ***** had been planted in Britney's Malibu home. He told her it was a conspiracy between Kevin and Britney's assistants to make Britney look like a bad mother. Three months later, they attended a taping of Dancing With The Stars together, and also discussed shoe and jewelry endorsement deals.

***** planted in Britney's home? What a vague, bizarre detail to include in her book!

It wasn't until after Britney was released from rehab in March of 2007 that Britney and Lutfi appeared to have met. They were first photographed together in June of 2007, and by that point he was chauffeuring Britney and Ali Simms around town.

So if Lutfi switched allegiances, he switched from Lynne to Britney — not the other way around.

I see your points, but hear me out. The above timeline is accurate only if we unequivocally trust Lynne Spears' account in "Through The Storm." I can't say that I trust her account, especially after all the excellent points you and other posters have made in this thread, and after learning of Alli Sim's allegations about Lynne intentionally drugging Britney. For me, that calls into question the timeline of when Sam Lutfi first met Britney and gained her trust. 

But there is another voice that we have on the gossip record. Kalie Machado's interview with In Touch from March 10, 2008, which we read about earlier in this thread, in which the tabloid reporter states that Kalie left Britney's employ in February, 2007. Presumably, Kalie left Britney before Britney shaved her head on Feb. 16, 2007.

I'm remembering that Tess Barker and Babs Gray did an awesome job reconstructing this time in Britney's life on a recent episode of the "Toxic" podcast, but they also concluded that they couldn't be sure of when exactly Sam Lutfi entered Britney's life in 2007. (They had major doubts that both their sources, Britney's nanny Leah Frand, and Sam Lutfi, were telling the truth--obvi with the latter.) 

Here's what I think went down:

• Early 2007: Sam Lutfi, for whichever wack purpose, was trying super hard to insert himself into Britney's life. He met with Kalie Machado before she left Britney in February and claimed to be working as a private investigator for KFed (which, if you're a PI and trying to get details, why are you telling people that you're a PI?! The logic is just ridiculous).
• February 2007: Kalie Machado quits as Britney's assistant. We don't know what happens for the next few months (I'm striking Lynne Spears' account for now).
• Fall 2007: Leah Frand, who also may not be completely truthful, claims that she was around when Sam Lutfi first stayed over in Britney's mansion.

What do you think, @Steel Magnolia? Am I wrong for discrediting Lynne Spears' account? I just don't trust anyone who was close to Britney, and can imagine what it felt like to be Britney at this time! 

[Slave4Brit88]

So Britney met with Berk then she basically ALLEGEDLY (lol) took whatever info Britney told her, switched sides and used it against her to establish the c-ship...the way this gets worse like everyday 

[Steel Magnolia]

56 minutes ago, Y2KLady said:

I see your points, but hear me out. The above timeline is accurate only if we unequivocally trust Lynne Spears' account in "Through The Storm." I can't say that I trust her account, especially after all the excellent points you and other posters have made in this thread, and after learning of Alli Sim's allegations about Lynne intentionally drugging Britney. For me, that calls into question the timeline of when Sam Lutfi first met Britney and gained her trust. 

But there is another voice that we have on the gossip record. Kalie Machado's interview with In Touch from March 10, 2008, which we read about earlier in this thread, in which the tabloid reporter states that Kalie left Britney's employ in February, 2007. Presumably, Kalie left Britney before Britney shaved her head on Feb. 16, 2007.

I'm remembering that Tess Barker and Babs Gray did an awesome job reconstructing this time in Britney's life on a recent episode of the "Toxic" podcast, but they also concluded that they couldn't be sure of when exactly Sam Lutfi entered Britney's life in 2007. (They had major doubts that both their sources, Britney's nanny Leah Frand, and Sam Lutfi, were telling the truth--obvi with the latter.) 

Here's what I think went down:

• Early 2007: Sam Lutfi, for whichever wack purpose, was trying super hard to insert himself into Britney's life. He met with Kalie Machado before she left Britney in February and claimed to be working as a private investigator for KFed (which, if you're a PI and trying to get details, why are you telling people that you're a PI?! The logic is just ridiculous).
• February 2007: Kalie Machado quits as Britney's assistant. We don't know what happens for the next few months (I'm striking Lynne Spears' account for now).
• Fall 2007: Leah Frand, who also may not be completely truthful, claims that she was around when Sam Lutfi first stayed over in Britney's mansion.

What do you think, @Steel Magnolia? Am I wrong for discrediting Lynne Spears' account? I just don't trust anyone who was close to Britney, and can imagine what it felt like to be Britney at this time! 

The way I look at Lynne Spears is...

Every time Lynne accuses Lutfi of something, I'm assuming she's deflecting and is covering up for something she did herself.

Kalie Machado — Do we know if she quit? Or simply stopped working for Britney because there was no work left to perform? Britney entered rehab on February 21, 2007, and was scheduled to stay for 30- to 45-days.

The first meeting with Lutfi — Theoretically, Britney and Lutfi could have first met during her "party with Paris" phase. So, some time between November 2006, when she split with Kevin, and mid-February 2007, when she was shipped off to rehab in Antigua. I'm not sure that it would effect the timeline much — Lutfi started contacting Kalie Machado some time in February 2007, which dovetails with the time period that Lynne claims she received her anonymous phone call from him. (So let's go with Kalie's account, as she has no reason to lie that we know of.)

Gaining trust — Britney was released from rehab on March 21, 2007, but we don't see her photographed with Lutfi until June. So whether they met prior to rehab or after rehab, he hadn't become a fixture within her sphere for at least three months after she left Promises.

Planting ***** — Lynne has included that story in her book, "Through The Storm," for a purpose. We just don't know yet what that purpose is. I'm now assuming it was to cover up for something she did herself. Perhaps Lutfi purchased the *****, and Lynne planted them herself? Perhaps Lutfi had nothing to do with it, and Lynne planted the ***** herself? It's hard to say.

Whatever it is, Lutfi appears to be holding something major over the Spears family...Enough that he could "negotiate" the terms of his own restraining order with Blair Berk.