Britney Spears & Kevin Federline Want Custody Case Kept Quiet

By: Shannon Gossage

Mark Vincent Kaplan and Laura Wasser appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom on Tuesday morning to get the custody case between Spears and Federline sealed from the public. Alonzo Wickers IV, an attorney for several press outlets, argued that some documents should be made public. Wasser, Spears’ attorney said in an interview outside the courtroom Tuesday, "The public’s right to know is not outweighed by Federline’s right to keep his kids safe. You have got to wonder why the public interest in this case is so great."

Kaplan, Federline’s attorney said, "Anytime you have a case with a minor child it is important that the children be protected." Wickers argued that releasing "basic information" about the custody case and spousal support "would not cause harm to the kids." He also agreed that records with personal information or telephone numbers be kept sealed. Kaplan and Wasser requested an extension in the case to have more time to respond to a motion filed on behalf of several media outlets hoping to keep the case from being sealed. A September 14 hearing date was set by Commissioner Gordon.

The Spears-Federline marriage was officially dissolved last week with the two agreeing to 50/50 custody, but Federline is now seeking primary custody because he has grown increasingly concerned about Spears’ ability to parent their children. Kaplan has already subpoenaed Spears BFF/cousin Alli Sims and former manny Daimon Shippen in the case. Kaplan said, "Kevin is pursuing relevant information from all relevant sources." He added that there would be other subpoenas issued, but refused to say to whom. He also said, "There is a significant strategy in place that Kevin is going to pursue whatever he needs to do to protect his kids."