BRITNEY Spears’ father has kept the true depths of his superstar daughter’s mental health and drug addiction problems secret, court documents have revealed.
Jaime Spears has claimed that “highly confidential” information about Britney’s mental state is far worse than the public realized.
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The 69-year-old references his daughter’s darkest moments in a response to Britney’s petition to have him suspended.
In the 15-page court filing, Jaime says his actions during the 13-year Conservatorship “saved” his daughter from “disaster”.
Lawyer Vivien Thoreen, who submitted the documents to Los Angeles County Court on Jamie’s behalf, wrote: “If the public knew all the facts of Ms. Spears’ personal life, not only her highs but also her lows, all of the addiction and mental health issues that she has struggled with, and all of the challenges of the Conservatorship, they would praise Mr. Spears for the job he has done, not vilify him.
“But the public does not know all the facts, and they have no right to know, so there will be no public redemption for Mr. Spears.”
Ms. Thoreen cited dad Jamie as starting Britney’s treatment path but says it is the star’s personal conservator Jodi Montgomery – not him – who has supervised her prescription drug intake in recent years.
Britney had expressed her devastation at being ordered to take drugs, including Lithium, for her mood and mental stability.
In the filing, Jamie asserted that Montgomery, Britney’s late psychiatrist Dr. Benson, her ex-lawyer Sam Ingham III, and other medical experts decided the cocktail of drugs the singer took.
Jamie insisted he has had little role in his daughter’s medical treatment, other than to sign cheques.
He points the finger at Montgomery insisting the court signed off on her being paid $10,000 monthly to handle those matters.
He says often her medical costs went over that sum.
‘CONSTRAINED’
The claims further muddy the waters and add to the confusion of Britney’s current state and long-term welfare.
Her dad understood Britney, 39, had felt “constrained”, but all treatments were joint decisions, made in her best interest to safeguard her from self-harm, the paperwork states.
Britney revealed she wants to file criminal charges against Jamie for her treatment during a court appearance in June.
He sees his care very differently.
“There is no doubt that the Conservatorship saved Ms. Spears from disaster, supported her when she needed it the most, protected her and her reputation from harm, and facilitated the restoration of her career,” Jamie’s filing noted.
Jaime said he only agreed to step down because a “public feud” would not be in Britney’s best interests.
But he was clear that he should not be removed or suspended, but will step down when the time is right.
Britney was first placed in the strict conservatorship back in 2008 following a public breakdown.
Court filings by the star’s lawyers have described Jamie’s hold on his daughter as “abusive” and also branded his control on her life “traumatizing, insane and depressing.”
The next case hearing will be heard on September 29.