#Britney Spears’ Longtime Manager Larry Rudolph Resigns, Claims Spears Wants to “Officially Retire”

Larry Rudolph has resigned as Britney Spears’ manager, Deadline and BBC News report. Rudolph had managed Spears for most of the last 25 years. In a letter to Spears’ co-conservators—her father James “Jamie” Spears and the court-appointed Jodi Montgomery—Rudolph reportedly explained: “It has been over 2 1/2 years since Britney and I last communicated, at which time she informed me she wanted to take an indefinite work hiatus. Earlier today, I became aware that Britney had been voicing her intention to officially retire.”

According to Deadline, Rudolph began working with Spears in 1995, taking time away from his role only in 2007 and 2008. He reportedly wrote in his resignation letter, “As you know, I have 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 her with her career. 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.”

In June, Britney Spears spoke at a hearing regarding her court-ordered conservatorship, reportedly stating, “I want to end the conservatorship without having to be evaluated. I shouldn’t be in a conservatorship if I can work. The laws need to change. I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive.”

Shortly after his daughter’s remarks, Jamie Spears called for an investigation into Britney’s claims of abuse. The New Yorker’s Ronan Farrow and Jia Tolentino have since published a report detailing Jamie Spears’ alleged mistreatment of his daughter.

The next hearing in Britney Spears’ conservatorship case is scheduled for July 14. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will hear a petition from Bessemer Trust, the wealth management firm that recently asked to withdraw as a planned co-conservator in Spears’ financial dealings.