Former Britney aide tells jury of her drug abuse

Britney Spears’s former confidante was made a scapegoat for her mental breakdown despite efforts to keep the singer from using drugs, his attorney told a jury in a case against her parents and conservators.

Joseph Schleimer told the panel Sam Lutfi was trying to help Spears but lost control in a series of events that led to her being hospitalised and placed under a court-ordered conservator.

Lutfi is also seeking a share of the singer’s fortunes, claiming he had an agreement to serve as her manager in exchange for 15% of her earnings.