Celebrity Justice
Fed Judge to Brit -- You're Outta Here!

A federal judge has ruled the Feds have no business in Britney's conservatorship case and it has been sent back to state court.
Read the docs
Federal District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled Jon Eardley, the attorney who claimed to rep Brit, "had no authority to remove the case from state court."

The judge added, "Mr. Eardley is not Ms. Spears attorney and acted improperly by removing her conservatorship proceeding to federal court."

The court did not award the conservatorship attorneys fees, which means it will cost Brit around $40,000 for what turned out to be a bogus case.

Reader Comments

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46. My two e-mails had misspelled words. Sorry. Apparently, I can't spell tonight!! Bella

Posted at 8:25PM on Feb 26th 2008 by Bella

47. Really doesn't seem right that he would rule that it is a bogus case but not award the attorney's fees. Sounds like the judge did not do a very good job of following the law ALL THE WAY through the case. Not that it is uncommon...

Posted at 8:27PM on Feb 26th 2008 by Ms_Tell_It_Like_It_Is

48. The silver lining in this dark cloud is that the federal court's extension of the temporary restraining order against Sam Lutfi remains intact, and that goes back to the state court. If Sam thinks Lynne committed perjury in her affidavit, he has to go to the Probate Court and prove it. Whadya wanna bet that Eardley shows up to represent Sam at the March 19 hearing? Wouldn't surprise me, neither of these fools are going to give up and go away.

Posted at 8:30PM on Feb 26th 2008 by lawdawg

49. ADVICE FOR SLUTNEY #31...........U REALLY NEED SOME HELP, AND PLEASE DON'T WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:30PM on Feb 26th 2008 by SO SAD

50. Eardley needs to reimburse the estate 40K. I can't believe the spears were not awarded court costs.

Posted at 8:30PM on Feb 26th 2008 by me

51. 4. Britney look into the Hemlock Society, tell a friend

Posted at 7:17PM on Feb 26th 2008 by FlBiker

THAT'S HYSTERICAL!!!

Posted at 8:30PM on Feb 26th 2008 by bean

52. That's ridiculous that Britney has to pay the $40,000.00. Slimeball Eardley should pay it. The most corrupt Lawyers, Managers, and PR People must live in Hollywood. What a Nightmare for Papa Spears. Did Sam sell Britney's valuables that he stole to pay for Eardley?

Posted at 8:30PM on Feb 26th 2008 by Peri

53. lawdawg, you're right. I bet.
Just can't imagine anyone wanting their services after this... Guilt by association - proven by most people's response to posts about Sands and Eardley. I.e. that they are both just soaking in the light. apart from their 15mins, what do you think sands/eardley think they are going to get out of this?!

Posted at 8:34PM on Feb 26th 2008 by britaculous

54. Hey britaculous: I still believe no matter who enlisted Eardley, he should have informed them they had no case instead of pursuing it. Like lawdawg - I hope he gets stiffed, and is issued sanctions for fiilng a frivolous lawsuit taking up the Court's time for nothing. Eardley's greed and stupidity added to the public opinion that lawyers cannot be trusted. There are a lot of honest attorneys who truly want to help people, and Eardley has placed a black mark on the legal profession. Makes me mad. Bella

Posted at 8:41PM on Feb 26th 2008 by Bella

55. This isn't over...
Supreme Court's decision in O'Connor v. Donaldson, 422 U. S. 563 (1975) which held that the state may not confine a non-dangerous adult solely for the purpose of providing custodial care. The opinion further stated that there was insufficient evidence to sustain a finding of any emergency requiring conservators in this case. To deprive a person of liberty and freedom of action without properly ascertaining the necessity of legal control over the person, stated the court, is "to license kidnapping for the purpose of thought control.

Posted at 8:38PM on Feb 26th 2008 by jh

56. 31. Dear Advice for slutney,

America has had enough of your stupid thinking, your stupid driving like a retard, your not showering for days, your stupid smelly weave, your stupid "rock star" sunglasses and you. You've lost all credibiitly, any peeps that once liked you are now RUNNING from a Retard like you. SO, since no one likes you (except for your family, who's had to put up with your arrogant, retarded, snotty, entitled attitude & are starting to really hate you), here's some choices to consider:

1) rat poison tastes good
2) don't worry about driving on the wrong side of the road
3) breathing is for wimps
4) listen to a plugged in radio while taking a bath
5) stop eating; you need to lose 150 lbs
6) my, those razors look really shiney
7) gas & fire are fun things to play with
8) you're britney spears; you can fly
9) hangman's ropes are fun to make
10) keep smoking that meth; just don't stop


PICK ONE AND DO US ALL A FAVOR ADVICE FOR SLUTNEY

Posted at 8:38PM on Feb 26th 2008 by ADVICE FOR SLUTNEY'S SLUT

57. I think Brits doing way better now. But it is VERY scary knowing that someone out there can just go and claim you're nuts and say you can't have an attorney!!! I personally feel she should be allowed to have legal counsel, even mass murderers get legal counsel of their choosing. I think her dad should keep her under control but she should be able to get counsel on the issue and make them prove she's nuts. (We all know she is, or at leat drugged by Sam) But dang, you can't hire an attorney!! WTF is up with that. It's really truly not right.

Posted at 11:12PM on Feb 26th 2008 by boringwithoutbrit

58. Hey britaculous: The fact that Eardley has been previously sanctioned for trying to remove an action when he wasn't the attorney had me convinced that the court would grant fees in this case. Courts usually sanction counsel who have been put on notice about their frivolous conduct. I'm just astonished at the court's denial of the fee request, as a member of the profession I'm embarassed that this was allowed without some consequence. As I said before, something the court saw, maybe those e-mails that Eardley said he would file, made the judge believe that Britney had indeed contacted Eardley by phone and/or test messaging cuz that is the only rationale I can see for this.

Maybe Britney will look kinder on her father's efforts to protect her, now that she has seen Jamie was instrumental in negotiating limited vistitation with Sean and Jayden.

Posted at 8:39PM on Feb 26th 2008 by lawdawg

59. Just like lowlife K-Dud and sleazy Kaplan never give up on stealing Britney's money, lowlife Sam Lutfi and sleazy Eardley will probably keep on going trying to steal Britney's money, too. TMZ. are you sure you are reporting the truth about this? For her to pay the Court's cost doesn't make any sense at all. This whole case gets crazier every day.

Posted at 8:40PM on Feb 26th 2008 by Donny

60. What's sad is Jamie has to pay those lawyers the 40K not Britney. Those lawyers were hired by Jamie to fight the lawyer Britney hired. I don't think Jamie can legally use Brit's money to cover it.

Jamie doesn't live off of Britney, he works for a living. I'm sure 40 thousand is a lot of money for him.

Posted at 8:42PM on Feb 26th 2008 by a

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