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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - A Los Angeles judge today rejected a request by Britney Spears' attorney to expedite a hearing on a request to remove the singer's father as conservator of her estate.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny did not a state a reason for declining to advance the hearing. The move means the issue will not be considered until Sept. 29.
Spears' attorney, Matt Rosengart, filed court papers last Thursday looking to advance the hearing, claiming that every day Jamie Spears remains conservator of his daughter's estate equates to “another day of avoidable harm.''
Rosengart argued in the papers that Spears continues to feel “traumatized'' and is losing sleep because of her father's continued control over her estate. He also alleged that Jamie Spears has “dissipated'' Spears' wealth, calling it “critical to (Spears') emotional health and well-being'' for an expedited hearing on the matter.
Jamie Spears fired back with court papers of his own filed on Friday. In the papers, Jamie Spears' lawyers defended his work managing his daughter's estate, saying he has worked “dutifully and faithfully'' and had “no blemishes on his record.''
“This is not an opinion. He has taken the estate from being in debt and facing tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits to a current value of well over $60 million,'' according to the court papers. “Mr. Spears' record as conservator speaks for itself. He has filed annual accountings for over a decade that have been thoroughly reviewed by Ms. Spears' attorneys and this court and subsequently approved without objection.''
Britney Spears has repeatedly objected to her father's involvement in the conservatorship, under which she has been living for 13 years. During emotional public testimony in June, Spears lashed out at her father, accusing him of reveling in the power he wields over her and her finances.
Rosengart is asking to have Jamie Spears removed as conservator of the singer's estate and replaced by Woodland Hills accountant Jason Rubin.
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