Britney Spears' Manager Resigns As Her Team Of Handlers Shrinks

LOS ANGELE, CA — Britney Spears appears to be contemplating a future away from the spotlight for the first time in her adult life. At the same time, her team of handlers appears to be crumbling in the wake of her explosive court appearance last month.

A resignation letter from her longtime manager sent referenced her intention to quit Tuesday,. In many ways, the industry continues to reel from her court testimony, which shined a light on the exploitative arc of her career and conservatorship. Blaming her family, management team and conservators for forcing her to work against her will, she demanded accountability. Many in her orbit have since announced plans to step back.

"It has been over 1 1/2 years since Britney and I last communicated, at which time she informed me she wanted to take an indefinite work hiatus," Larry Rudolph wrote in a letter obtained and published by Deadline. "Earlier today, I became aware that Britney had been voicing her intention to officially retire."

Rudolph addressed the letter Spears' father, Jamie, who is the co- conservator of his daughter's estate, and to Jodi Montgomery, conservator of her person. Spears has been under a court-ordered conservatorship since 2008 after her mental health struggles made tabloid headlines.

In his letter, Rudolph resigned his role as Spear's manager, making him the latest member of her team to step back after her emotional court plea two weeks ago painted a picture of handlers exploiting her vulnerability and ability to earn money. In addition to Rudolph quitting, TMZ reported Tuesday that attorney Sam Ingham, who represented her in the conservatorship, is resigning over frustration with her recent statements to the court. According to TMZ, he is upset with her portrayal.

For his part, Rudolph distanced himself from the conservatorship, writing that he has "never been a part of the conservatorship nor its operations, so I am not privy to many of these details."

"I was originally hired at Britney's request to help manage and assist with her career," he wrote. "And as her manager, I believe it is in Britney's best interest for me to resign from her team as my professional services are no longer needed. Please accept this letter as my formal resignation.

"I will always be incredibly proud of what we accomplished over our 25 years together. I wish Britney all the health and happiness in the world, and I'll be there for her if she ever needs me again, just as I always have been."

Spears has not performed for more than two years, and she has previously indicated through her attorneys that she would not do so again as long as her father has a role in the conservatorship.

Last month while pleading to a judge to end her conservatorship, she said “The people who did this to me should not get away... Ma’am, my dad, and anyone involved in this conservatorship, and my management, who played a huge role in punishing me when I said no — Ma’am, they should be in jail."

Spears made a telephonic appearance at a June 23 court hearing on the conservatorship, delivering a blistering attack on those overseeing her estate and personal life, most notably her father. She issued a public demand for an end to the 13-year conservatorship, although her attorneys have never filed a petition with the court formally requesting the move.

Last week, the wealth-management firm Bessemer Trust filed court papers seeking to withdraw as co-conservator of Spears' estate, even though the company has never actually begun serving in that role. The firm was appointed in November, but the court papers weren't signed until last week. A court hearing on the company's request was set for July 14.

Also last week, Jamie Spears filed court papers asking the court to investigate his daughter's allegations of abusive treatment by those involved in the conservatorship "to determine what corrective actions, if any, need to be taken."

The long-lingering conservatorship prompted her fans to launch a #FreeBritney movement, calling for an end to the oversight of the 39-year-old singer's life and affairs.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.