A second Democrat has emerged as a leading opponent of the nationwide movement to emancipate pop icon Britney Spears from her father's conservatorship.
Court documents show Ron Klein, a former Democratic congressman and chair of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, has served as the top lawyer representing James Spears, who has controlled his daughter's life through a court-ordered conservatorship since 2008. His firm, Holland & Knight, reported earning $1.5 million for the work, paid for through Britney Spears's fortune. The most expensive lawyer on the team representing her father was Klein, whose hourly rate was $1,285.
The revelation of Klein's involvement follows a report that California judge Brenda Penny, who rejected Britney Spears's plea to remove her father as conservator, is an unelected official and a registered Democrat. Spears’s father maintains control over the singer's contact with the outside world and personal finances.
The pop star has seen a surge in support in recent months, from icons in the music world like Madonna and Miley Cyrus to politicians like Republican senator Ted Cruz and Republican congressman Matt Gaetz. Gaetz said at a Wednesday rally in support of Spears that Democrats have been unwilling to work with Republicans on the issue of reforming conservatorships.
"All we’ve heard from Democrats so far is that they don’t want to work with us on it," Gaetz said.
The Jewish Democratic Council of America did not respond to a request for comment about whether it supports the #FreeBritney movement.