Britney Spears’ calls and texts have been monitored, new documentary says

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 24 (Reuters) – A security firm hired by Britney Spears’ father monitored the pop singer’s phone calls and texts during the court-sanctioned guardianship she has lived under since 2008, according to a documentary by the New York Times published Friday.

In “Controlling Britney Spears,” Alex Vlasov, a former Black Box Security employee who said he worked with the singer’s team for nearly nine years, said the company “mirrored” the pop singer’s phone on an iPad by logging into their iCloud account. A listening device was also placed in his bedroom, Vlasov said.

He told the filmmakers that he was asked to encrypt some of Spears’ text conversations so they could be sent to his father, Jamie Spears, and an employee of a business management company he had. hired.

When Vlasov questioned the surveillance, he said he was told that Britney Spears’ communications were being examined “for her own safety and protection” and that the court overseeing the guardianship was “aware” of it. like his lawyer at the time. The surveillance included discussions between Britney Spears and her lawyer, Sam Ingham, according to Vlasov.

Vivian Thoreen, an attorney for Jamie Spears, did not discuss specific allegations, but said her actions “were well within the parameters of the authority vested in her by the court” and “were made with the knowledge and consent of Britney, her court – an appointed attorney and / or the court. “

“Jamie’s record as a Tory – and the court’s approval of his actions – speak for themselves,” Thoreen added, saying Jamie Spears helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and improve her situation. financial.

A lawyer for the president of Black Box Security, Edan Yemini, said in a statement released in the documentary: “Mr. Yemini and Black Box have always conducted themselves within professional, ethical and legal boundaries, and they are particularly proud of their job in keeping Ms. Spears safe for many years. “

Britney Spears is fighting to end the Guardianship, which Jamie Spears created in 2008 to oversee her daughter’s personal affairs and the estimated $ 60 million estate after a mental health crisis. The “Stronger” frontman said in June that the arrangement was abusive and demeaning.

In a surprise move earlier in September, Jamie Spears said he supported ending the guardianship because circumstances had changed. A hearing in the case is scheduled for Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Spears’ new attorney, Mathew Rosengart, said in a statement he would investigate the new allegations.

“Intercepting or monitoring Britney’s communications, particularly the sacrosanct lawyer-client communications, is a shameful and shocking violation of her privacy and civil liberties,” the statement said. “Placing a listening device in Britney’s bedroom would be particularly shameful.”

“Controlling Britney Spears” was released Friday night on FX Cable Network and Hulu. It follows a documentary by the same filmmakers, titled “Framing Britney Spears,” which debuted in February and helped spark new interest in the case.

Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Leslie Adler

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