Was Britney Railroaded into Rehab? : A Research Thread

[B. Leigh]

I still think Lufti is with Lou...Lufti is way too messy and associated with Lynn (who plotted the con with Lou originally and who introduced Lufti to Britney) to have anything to do with Larry...Larry is many things but he is not messy...he doesn't even appear on the court paperwork...

[CameronValimere]

I LOVE this!

I'm not the sleuthing type, but I wanted to come and give My support for all your efforts! =^D

[Tar_isa]

On 2/27/2022 at 11:57 PM, Steel Magnolia said:

Fellow sleuths...

It's time to take a closer look at the details of how Britney ended up in rehab.

Why?

Her three consecutive "in-and-out" trips to rehab were used against her to strip her of custody of her two toddlers and then to eventually strip her of her freedom for 13 years.

Larry Rudolph:

In his Sept. 7, 2007 deposition for the custody case, Larry Rudolph admits that a team of insiders began planning an "intervention" in January of 2007, as early as eight weeks after Britney filed for divorce from Kevin Federline. Included in the various conference calls and planning were Larry, Kevin Federline, Jamie Spears, Lynne Spears, Bryan Spears, interventionist Betty Wyman, and Britney's divorce attorney, Laura Wasser.

Feb. 1, 2007:

For the second month in a row, Britney and Kevin Federline temporarily agree to continue to share joint legal custody of their two toddlers. Kevin's physical custody is limited to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from noon to 4 pm at Britney's residence. The agreement extends until the end of February 2007.

Feb. 14, 2007:

Britney is taken to rehab in Antigua by manager Larry Rudolph. It is a Wednesday, making it one of Kevin Federline's visitation days with the boys. Within 24 hours, Britney checks herself out and returns to Miami.

Feb. 16, 2007:

Britney nearly misses her six-hour flight from Miami to Los Angeles. The walkway is re-extended so she can board the plane. It is a Friday, making it one of Kevin Federline's scheduled visitation days from noon to 4 pm at Britney's residence.

Around 7 pm, Britney shaves her head, and then sits for a new tattoo, leaving the studio around 9 pm. Britney then attacks a paparazzo's car with an umbrella after standing outside of the home of Kevin Federline, demanding to see their two infant sons.

 

Feb. 17, 2007:

Britney no longer has access to any form of money. She cannot even book a hotel room because she no longer has the full number for the black Amex credit card belonging to her manager that was scrawled on a piece of paper.

Feb. 20, 2007:

Britney checks into Promises rehab center in Los Angeles.

According to Lynne Spears, “Right before Britney went into Promises, after she shaved her head, I got an anonymous call from a man while I was driving in Los Angeles. There are ***** planted in Britney’s Malibu home,” he said, going on to tell me that it was a conspiracy between Kevin and Britney’s assistants to make my daughter look like a bad mother.” Two paragraphs later, Lynne admits that the man who called about the ***** was Sam Lutfi.

On the night of either February 20 or February 21, while at the apartment of her brother Bryan, and in the presence of celebrity interventionist Betty Wyman, Britney is unknowingly fed an unidentified medication by her mother, Lynne Spears. According to Lutfi:

"Yes, Lynne was at her sons Bryans apt in Marina Del , I believe Betty Wineman, an interventionist was present, as well as Alli Sims and there was another women[sic] there at the time. According to Lynne, she sent the unnamed woman to the pharmacy at the Ralphs Grocery Store next door to pick up an RX that she had called in, when the woman brought the pills to the apt, Lynne claims she took a pill crushed it on the kitchen counter and wiped the contents into Britneys Red Bull, in which Britney drank, passed out and later was driven to promises."

Feb. 21, 2007:

Kevin Federline is granted an ex parte (emergency) court hearing, presumably to request full custody of their two infant sons. The hearing is scheduled by Mark Vincent Kaplan. The date is set for Thursday, February 22.

Britney checks out of Promises and drives to meet with Blair Berk, a prominent criminal defence attorney.

Around 8:45 pm, Britney arrives at Kevin Federline's residence, asking to see their two infant sons. Kevin refuses her entry.

At 9:30 pm, Britney is picked up from Kevin Federline's house in a vehicle driven by her mother, Lynne.

At 10:20 pm, Britney and Lynne are observed to be driving around while arguing.

At 10:33 pm, Britney is driven to Promises by her mother Lynne and checks back into rehab for the third time. She enters Promises for a minimum 30-day stay.
 

 

I don't want to be annoying on this thread too but perhaps this timeline should be edited to reflect the fact that she didn't actually shave her head and hit the pap's car with the umbrella on the same night?

Also, the umbrella incident happened on the night of February 21 and that was right after leaving Kevin's place, so Lynne couldn't have picked her up there since we know it was Alli in the car with Britney.

[RebellionSparkles]

22 hours ago, Applejack said:

Larry was taking her to all those party gigs as well.

This obvs was to make money, which is always Larry’s motivation with B…but this is where Laura Wasser’s failed divorce strategy might play in. Wasser’s divorce strategy was dependent on Britney’s earnings power and making Kevin look like a gold digger. They wanted Britney to be seen as the “it girl” and Hollywood elite…it’s the most common divorce strategy except reverse gender roles…So these club gigs worked for both Larry and Laura. But when the media narrative shifted to “Out of control partying” then rehab was the reputation mgmt solution. This was such a weird time when it seemed like every celebrity was going to rehab.

B told us that it’s weird when your mgmt sends you to rehab and your mgmt is the one feeding you the drinks.

[Steel Magnolia]

4 hours ago, Tar_isa said:

I don't want to be annoying on this thread too but perhaps this timeline should be edited to reflect the fact that she didn't actually shave her head and hit the pap's car with the umbrella on the same night?

Also, the umbrella incident happened on the night of February 21 and that was right after leaving Kevin's place, so Lynne couldn't have picked her up there since we know it was Alli in the car with Britney.

I was on the road yesterday so haven't had time to play catch up.

That absolutely needs to be updated...And I suspect it's going to give us a whole new way of looking at things!

[Steel Magnolia]

8 hours ago, RebellionSparkles said:

It works, but Larry hires Lufti to what end? What’s the goal here?

Who owns the cache of X17 footage?

Lutfi was allowing the X17 paps right into her home...Yet we've barely seen any of that footage.

For example...The night of the second 5150, it was X17 that first reported there was a suicide attempt. Did X17 simply report what Lutfi was telling them from inside her home? Or did they actually capture that footage?

My guess?

X17 was recording much more than appeared on their website...And it quite possibly could have turned up as an exhibit in the custody case.

[Steel Magnolia]

6 hours ago, Tar_isa said:

I don't want to be annoying on this thread too but perhaps this timeline should be edited to reflect the fact that she didn't actually shave her head and hit the pap's car with the umbrella on the same night?

Also, the umbrella incident happened on the night of February 21 and that was right after leaving Kevin's place, so Lynne couldn't have picked her up there since we know it was Alli in the car with Britney.

I've updated this on the Chronological Timeline thread:

+++++++

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 7 pm, Britney is observed by X17 photographers to ring the bell three times at the gate of Kevin Federline's Tarzana residence. Kevin is inside with their two toddlers.

Feb. 21, 2007 - With Alli Sims driving, Britney departs Kevin's house and heads to a Mobil gas station in Tarzana. She exits the car and assaults the vehicle of paparazzo Daniel Ramos with an umbrella.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 7:30 pm, X17 photographers observe as Kevin Federline leaves his house and heads to Malibu's Serra Retreat to meet with Britney at their former home.

+++++++

Now I need to find the source I pulled this detailed information from...And ask if I made a mistake myself, or if someone else purposely tried to muddy the waters by putting it out there. 

+++++++

Feb. 21, 2007 - Around 8:45 pm, Britney arrives at Kevin Federline's residence, asking to see their two infant sons. Kevin refuses her entry.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 9:30 pm, Britney is picked up from Kevin Federline's house in a vehicle driven by her mother, Lynne.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 10:20 pm, Britney and Lynne are observed to be driving around while arguing.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 10:33 pm, Britney is driven to Promises by her mother Lynne and checks back into rehab for the third time. She enters Promises for a minimum 30-day stay.

+++++++

 

[Tar_isa]

1 hour ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Who owns the cache of X17 footage?

Lutfi was allowing the X17 paps right into her home...Yet we've barely seen any of that footage.

For example...The night of the second 5150, it was X17 that first reported there was a suicide attempt. Did X17 simply report what Lutfi was telling them from inside her home? Or did they actually capture that footage?

My guess?

X17 was recording much more than appeared on their website...And it quite possibly could have turned up as an exhibit in the custody case.

This would very clearly benefit MVK... Once again I come back to the possibility that Lutfi was actually hired by MVK. I'm not at all convinced about it but he stands to be the winner in this situation. He said so himself at some point, like he just had to sit back and let the paps follow Britney around and record her missteps.

[RebellionSparkles]

1 hour ago, Steel Magnolia said:

My guess?

X17 was recording much more than appeared on their website...And it quite possibly could have turned up as an exhibit in the custody case.

I'm not sure how the paparazzi's agencies work, but would something like this have been done? would they even be able distribute this content? California is a two-party consent state for recording.

MVK must have been involved at some point with X17 (this photo op is clearly planned).

https://www.x17online.com/2007/03/x17_xclusive_britney_and_kevin_ink_a_deal

 Also this gives us an idea of what the custody agreement was after the February agreement where Britney had physical custody and KFed could visit M, W, F 12PM-4PM. This article is from March 2007 and makes it sounds like there was a drastic new custody arrangement in place...Brit had visitation at her house on a Thursday 6-9. The article also implies that a divorce deal had been completed and insinuates Britney will get majority custody again.

Posted on Thu Mar 29th, 2007 8:52pm PDT    

"Update! - Kevin's bodyguard and nanny accompanied the babies to Britney's house today from 6 - 9 for a little mommy time for the boys."

[Steel Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, Tar_isa said:

This would very clearly benefit MVK... Once again I come back to the possibility that Lutfi was actually hired by MVK. I'm not at all convinced about it but he stands to be the winner in this situation. He said so himself at some point, like he just had to sit back and let the paps follow Britney around and record her missteps.

But then we have this...

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."

Source: https://people.com/celebrity/britney-pal-sam-lutfi-deposed-by-k-fed-lawyer/

Source: https://www.tmz.com/2008/01/24/brits-right-hand-man-deposed/

So...

I think it's time we try to track down the transcript of Lutfi's deposition. 

[Tar_isa]

3 hours ago, RebellionSparkles said:

This obvs was to make money, which is always Larry’s motivation with B…but this is where Laura Wasser’s failed divorce strategy might play in. Wasser’s divorce strategy was dependent on Britney’s earnings power and making Kevin look like a gold digger. They wanted Britney to be seen as the “it girl” and Hollywood elite…it’s the most common divorce strategy except reverse gender roles…So these club gigs worked for both Larry and Laura. But when the media narrative shifted to “Out of control partying” then rehab was the reputation mgmt solution. This was such a weird time when it seemed like every celebrity was going to rehab.

B told us that it’s weird when your mgmt sends you to rehab and your mgmt is the one feeding you the drinks.

Some people (i.e. Susan Bassi and her associate) seem to believe Laura Wasser was actually one of the bad guys and her m.o. is to kind of con her clients into legal movements that actually damage them but make her more money, together with other family lawyers and judges. They sometimes implied Wasser and MVK worked together with the private judge in the divorce case to Britney's detriment and their own financial gain, which then set the basis for the whole conservatorship.

I'm not sold on this, and I'm also open to your theory that Wasser just failed and misfired on strategy and wasn't necessary a bad actor, but I thought it was interesting to put out Susan Bassi's theory.

[Steel Magnolia]

22 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

Now I need to find the source I pulled this detailed information from...And ask if I made a mistake myself, or if someone else purposely tried to muddy the waters by putting it out there. 

+++++++

Feb. 21, 2007 - Around 8:45 pm, Britney arrives at Kevin Federline's residence, asking to see their two infant sons. Kevin refuses her entry.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 9:30 pm, Britney is picked up from Kevin Federline's house in a vehicle driven by her mother, Lynne.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 10:20 pm, Britney and Lynne are observed to be driving around while arguing.

Feb. 21, 2007 - At 10:33 pm, Britney is driven to Promises by her mother Lynne and checks back into rehab for the third time. She enters Promises for a minimum 30-day stay.

+++++++

 

The source of my possible mis-information came from this Fox News article that alleges the above details came from Extra! 

https://web.archive.org/web/20070303104151/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253618,00.html

I wonder if this information has been planted in the media as a way to obfuscate what really happened that night?

Because...X17 has now placed Britney and Kevin together at their Malibu home on the night of Feb. 21, 2007.

Let's compare...

“Right before Britney went into Promises, after she shaved her head, I got an anonymous call from a man while I was driving in Los Angeles. There are ***** planted in Britney’s Malibu home,” he said, going on to tell me that it was a conspiracy between Kevin and Britney’s assistants to make my daughter look like a bad mother.” 

Two paragraphs later, Lynne admits that the man who called about the ***** was Sam Lutfi.

[Steel Magnolia]

I would suggest that X17 was already in on the obfuscation as early as February 2007.

Check out this passage from Feb. 22nd:

"Following a cancelled custody hearing this morning, Britney Spears has checked herself back into rehab for the third time in less than a week. The singer returned to Promises, the Malibu facility she left early Monday morning."

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/britney_back_in_rehab

Why is this inaccurate?

Britney didn't check into Promises for the first time until Tuesday...She then checked out on Wednesday, Feb. 21st to meet with Blair Berk.

So...

Was this an accidental typo? Or was Brandy Navarre being paid to muddy the waters around the order of events?

Edited March 1, 2022 by Steel Magnolia

[Steel Magnolia]

Can we identify what Britney was wearing on the nights of February 19th, February 20th and the night of February 21st?

"According to "Extra," Spears was picked up by her mother from Federline’s house at 9:30 p.m., where she had spent approximately 45 minutes. At 10:20 p.m., Lynne Spears was driving Spears and the two were seen arguing in the car.

Spears was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt over her head and was curled up in a ball in the front passenger seat. Spears and her mother arrived at the center at 10:33 p.m."

Link: https://web.archive.org/web/20070303104151/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253618,00.html

[RebellionSparkles]

not to derail the convo...but wanted to paste this before i forget. this says Brit is back with Larry April 2008. pictures are removed. could be of note later.

https://www.x17online.com/2008/04/x17_xclusive_britney_works_it_out

[Steel Magnolia]

What's Britney wearing?

Saturday, February 17

Sunday, February 18
+Early morning hours of Monday, February 19
The Roxy on Sunset + The Beverly Hills Hotel
Yellow top, brown pants, with white hoodie and a blonde wig
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/brits_new_look
https://xray.britspears.net/thumbnails.php?album=2958

Monday, February 19

Tuesday, February 20
Brit's checked into Promises by 3 pm EST or 1:12 pm PST
Pink tank top with brown pants
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/britney_enters_rehab_1
https://web.archive.org/web/20070222041816/https://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20012207_20012337,00.html
https://xray.britspears.net/thumbnails.php?album=2959

Note that the announcement comes from Larry Rudolph:

"Britney Spears has voluntarily checked herself into an undisclosed rehab facility today," Rudolph says in a statement. "We ask that the media respect her privacy as well as those of her family and friends at this time."

Pics from inside Promises on Tuesday, February 20:
Pink tank top with brown pants
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/x17_first_britney_seeks_treatment
https://xray.britspears.net/thumbnails.php?album=2959

Wednesday, February 21
Britney's left rehab by 8:38 am PST
Pastel pink/white striped long sleeve shirt, brown pants, brown fedora & pearls
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/breaking_news_britney_leaves_rehab
https://xray.britspears.net/thumbnails.php?album=2960

Wednesday, February 21
Britney's left the lawyers office by 12:28 pm PST
Pastel pink/white striped long sleeve shirt, brown pants, brown fedora & pearls
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/x17_xclusive_britney_on_the_move
https://xray.britspears.net/thumbnails.php?album=2960

Wednesday, February 21
Britney lashes out with the umbrella by 10:57 pm PST
White shorts, white tennis shoes, light grey hoodie
https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/****s_going_down_yall

Edited March 1, 2022 by Steel Magnolia
Adding new link + Changing dates.

[Tar_isa]

18 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

The source of my possible mis-information came from this Fox News article that alleges the above details came from Extra! 

https://web.archive.org/web/20070303104151/https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,253618,00.html

I wonder if this information has been planted in the media as a way to obfuscate what really happened that night?

Because...X17 has now placed Britney and Kevin together at their Malibu home on the night of Feb. 21, 2007.

Let's compare...

“Right before Britney went into Promises, after she shaved her head, I got an anonymous call from a man while I was driving in Los Angeles. There are ***** planted in Britney’s Malibu home,” he said, going on to tell me that it was a conspiracy between Kevin and Britney’s assistants to make my daughter look like a bad mother.” 

Two paragraphs later, Lynne admits that the man who called about the ***** was Sam Lutfi.

Going by the "easiest explanation is the correct explanation", I propose the Fox report might be making a simple mistake in whose house Lynne picked Britney up from. 

<<X17online.com is reporting that Spears went to Federline’s house Wednesday night. Their two young sons were inside the house, and Federline would not let Spears inside. Spears then turned on the cameramen outside the home flailing her arms and hitting the cameras.

According to "Extra," Spears was picked up by her mother from Federline’s house at 9:30 p.m., where she had spent approximately 45 minutes. At 10:20 p.m., Lynne Spears was driving Spears and the two were seen arguing in the car.

Spears was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt over her head and was curled up in a ball in the front passenger seat. Spears and her mother arrived at the center at 10:33 p.m.>>

First paraghraph fits the narrative we know, Britney arriving at Kevin's around 7, then leaving around 7:30 with Alli and hitting the car with the umbrella at a gas station.

The only detail that doesn't fit the narrative would be Lynne picking her up at Kevin's, but what if that was a simple mistake and simply Lynne picked her up at her Malibu house, then the pieces would fit. 

After making a dent on the pap's car she went home with Alli. Then Kevin went to Britney's Malibu home, where they allegedly made an agreement to share custody if she went to rehab (we know, from Larry's deposition, this was the whole gang's goal at that time). Then at 9:30, Lynne picks her up from HER home in Maibu and they both are seen arguing in the car, on their way to Promises, where she checks in at 10:30-ish.

22 minutes ago, Steel Magnolia said:

I would suggest that X17 was already in on the obfuscation as early as February 2007.

Check out this passage from Feb. 22nd:

"Following a cancelled custody hearing this morning, Britney Spears has checked herself back into rehab for the third time in less than a week. The singer returned to Promises, the Malibu facility she left early Monday morning."

Link: https://www.x17online.com/2007/02/britney_back_in_rehab

Why is this inaccurate?

Britney didn't check into Promises for the first time until Tuesday...She then checked out on Wednesday, Feb. 21st to meet with Blair Berk.

So...

Was this an accidental typo? Or was Brandy Navarre being paid to muddy the waters around the order of events?

There was a first time she checked into rehab, on February 14 when Larry sent her to Crossroads tehab in Antigua, which she checked out of the next day.

That would indeed make 3 times she checked into rehab in the span of one week.

[Tar_isa]

17 minutes ago, RebellionSparkles said:

not to derail the convo...but wanted to paste this before i forget. this says Brit is back with Larry April 2008. pictures are removed. could be of note later.

https://www.x17online.com/2008/04/x17_xclusive_britney_works_it_out

This is interesting... looks like it was breaking news in april 2008, but I thought Jaimie had hired him a few months earlier, right after the conservatorship started.

[Steel Magnolia]

4 minutes ago, Tar_isa said:

This is interesting... looks like it was breaking news in april 2008, but I thought Jaimie had hired him a few months earlier, right after the conservatorship started.

Britney's name was back on the ReignDeer Entertainment site right as the CON started.

I remember checking and making note of it.

[RebellionSparkles]

Just going through x17 xclusives and posting the things i think are interesting...I think this will eventually be relevant!

July 2007-->Clearly lawyer related re: custody-CPS pool fence

https://www.x17online.com/2007/07/x17_xclusive_is_kevin_playing_dirty_child_pr

Aug 15, 2007-->Talking about B parents and JL-->whos side are they on

https://www.x17online.com/2007/08/whose_side_are_they_on_1

Jan 1, 2008-->sounds like both sides are sources re:custody--deposition "But taking today's depo into consideration, will this be one of the last times Brit gets to visit with her kids for a while? We hope not!"

https://www.x17online.com/2008/01/x17_xclusive_jayden_on_new_years_day
 

Jan 3, 2008--> B misses depo on Jan 1

https://www.x17online.com/2008/01/x17_xclusive_new_year_new_brit

Jan 28, 2008-->my guess is Lou is the source-->Lynne flies into LA to see the kids

https://www.x17online.com/2008/01/x17_xclusive_lynne_visits_the_boys_at_kevins

 

Lynne Lou seems to be the sources for these stories:

https://www.x17online.com/lynne_spears/page5