Who is Sam Lutfi?

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Britney Spears's former manager Sam Lutfi is suing the singer and her parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, for defamation and breach of contract, L.A. court documents show.

In the lawsuit filed Tuesday, Lutfi is also claiming libel, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. "Jamie and Lynne launched a campaign of lies and intimidation designed to destroy Lutfi and drive him out of Britney's life," the papers read. "This campaign also provided Jamie with the opportunity he needed to obtain an appointment as Britney's conservator."

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges: "Despite seemingly accomplishing their objectives, Jamie and Lynne have nevertheless continued their smear campaign against Lutfi. Thus, having no other alternative, Lutfi brings this action to defend himself against Jamie's and Lynne's persistent attacks."

Last Friday, Britney's father obtained a new restraining order against Lutfi, accusing him of harassing the Spears family. In papers, Jamie Spears and lawyer Andrew Wallet, who oversee the singer's affairs as co-conservators, alleged that Lufti and two other men "are now working in concert to disrupt the conservatorship with utter disregard for Ms. Spears's health and well being."


Sam Claims Book Was Damaging
Lutfi, who says he became Britney's manager after the two met in an L.A. nightclub in 2007, claims his reputation was damaged by Lynne Spears's book, Through the Storm, in which she makes allegations about Lutfi's control over her daughter. He calls the allegations "lies and fabrication."

"Since the publication of the book, Lutfi has been subjected to unfathomable amounts of ridicule and scorn," and has received "numerous death threats from overzealous fans," the lawsuit reads, adding that Lutfi can "no longer find work as a counselor of at-risk teens."

Lutfi also alleges that in January 2008, Jamie Spears burst into the singer's home and "punched [Lutfi] in the chest," which caused "injury to his nervous system and person." He adds the singer's father was "screaming that ... Lutfi had made a rude comment to Lynne the night before."

Finally, Lutfi claims he and Britney had an oral agreement that he would be compensated 15 percent of her earnings as her manager. Lutfi alleges that the agreement was confirmed in a text message on Oct. 13, 2007 in which the singer wrote: "sam, so thats fine, i want you to be my manager, you were right its 15 percent of my money but for 4 years not 5." Lutfi claims that he hasn't received any payment for his alleged services.

Lutfi's attorney, Bryan J. Freedman said in a statement Tuesday that there is "overwhelming evidence from independent witnesses" proving his client's case and that "at the time of the trial in this action, the jury will have an opportunity to weigh the credibility of the witnesses."

Lawyers for Jamie Spears weren't immediately available for comment.

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Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Aviva Bobb issued a three-year restraining order against the singer's former manager on Tuesday.

Jon Eardley, a lawyer who has repeatedly challenged the validity of Jamie Spears's legal control over his daughter, was also slapped with a restraining order for three years.

Both men must stay at least 100 yards away from Britney, her two sons, and her family members' homes, and must not harass Britney and her children, or contact them through phone, mail and email. It also prohibits them from "acting on Ms. Spears's behalf or purporting to act on her behalf." The orders, however, do not specifically protect Jamie and Britney's mother Lynne Spears, which Jamie had sought.

The singer's father, who initially filed the request on Jan. 30, alleged that both men have harassed his daughter, adding Lutfi arranged the smuggling of a cell phone to the pop star at a hotel.


Lutfi Will Appeal
Bryan Freedman, Lutfi's attorney tells PEOPLE: "We absolutely will appeal this ruling. Never before in history has a restraining order been issued against someone who answered another person's cries for help."

The order followed several hearings in which Spears's father, her hairstylist, bodyguard, among others, testified that the singer was in fear of Lutfi. In his defense, Lutfi's younger sister Christina testified that it was Britney who hatched the cell phone scheme because she allegedly wanted Lutfi's help to end her father's control.

Last week, Samuel Ingham, a court-appointed lawyer for the pop star, told the judge that "my client's situation has improved dramatically over the last fourteen months. [The orders against Lutfi] is in my client's best interest ... she has suffered emotional distress."

Meanwhile, Lutfi's lawsuit against the Spears family for defamation and battery is still pending.

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Sam Lutfi faced off against Britney Spears's legal team – and lost, slapped with a three-year restraining order last month.

His wallet may be taking a hit next.

Lawyers for the singer asked a Los Angeles court last Friday to order Lutfi, who once was her manager, to pay $123,142 to cover Spears's legal fees for the courtroom battle over the restraining order.

In addition, her lawyers are seeking $129,922 from Jon Eardley, an attorney who has challenged Jamie Spears's control over his daughter, and $72,292 from her ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib. Both Eardley and Ghalib were also ordered to stay away from the pop star.

A judge has yet to sign off on the request.