Tracking the 2021 controversy surrounding allegations that Britney Spears committed misdemeanor battery against a longtime housekeeper during a dispute involving the care of Spears’ dogs and a cellphone. Prosecutors ultimately declined to file criminal charges.
Spears’ Housekeeper Filed A Battery Complaint Against Her. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office opened a misdemeanor battery investigation after a housekeeper reported that Spears struck her during an August 16, 2021 confrontation at the singer’s Thousand Oaks home. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
The Dispute Reportedly Began Over The Care Of Spears’ Dogs. The housekeeper had taken one of Spears’ dogs to a veterinarian amid concerns about the animal’s condition, and the confrontation occurred after the employee returned. The housekeeper alleged that Spears became upset during their argument about the dogs. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
The Housekeeper Alleged Spears Knocked A Cellphone From Her Hand. According to the account provided to authorities, Spears slapped or knocked the employee’s phone out of her hand during the confrontation. Reporting differed over whether the housekeeper alleged Spears also struck her hand or arm directly. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
Authorities Said The Housekeeper Had No Visible Injuries. Ventura County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Buschow said the employee showed no visible signs of injury after the alleged incident. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
Spears’ Side Denied That She Physically Struck The Housekeeper. A source connected to Spears disputed the employee’s version of events, while Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart said there had been “no striking” and characterized the matter as an overblown dispute involving a cellphone. [THEWRAP]
The Dispute Followed A Separate Incident In Which Spears’ Dogs Were Kept Away From Her Home. Reports said a dog sitter kept Spears’ dogs after they were taken for veterinary treatment because of concerns about their condition. Spears had contacted authorities several days before the alleged battery incident about what she initially described as a possible theft involving the dogs, but did not pursue a report. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
The Sheriff’s Office Sent The Battery Investigation To Prosecutors. After completing its investigation, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office forwarded the case to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office to determine whether Spears should face a misdemeanor battery charge. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
Prosecutors Declined To Charge Spears With Battery. The Ventura County District Attorney announced on September 1, 2021 that no criminal charge would be filed, citing insufficient evidence that a crime occurred as well as the lack of injury to the housekeeper or significant damage to the cellphone. [LOS ANGELES TIMES]
Spears’ Attorney Said The Decision Vindicated Her Position. After prosecutors declined the case, Rosengart described the allegation as sensationalized tabloid material and argued that a similar minor cellphone dispute involving an ordinary person would never have attracted comparable attention. [PITCHFORK]
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One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.
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