Judge Extends Sam Lutfi's Restraining Order

Originally posted Thursday February 21, 2008 10:40 PM EST

A federal judge late Thursday extended until March 17 a temporary restraining order preventing Britney Spears's pal Sam Lutfi from approaching the troubled pop star and her family, according to court papers

The two-page order by U.S. District Judge Phillip Gutierrez was in response to a request by Spears's father Jamie Spears, who is co-conservator of her $100 million estate.

Jamie had asked the judge to extend the temporary restraining order – served on Thursday and set to expire a day later on Friday – until the judge rules on an unusual civil rights challenge to the conservatorship.

The temporary restraining order could be extended at a March 17 hearing. But Jamie Spears would have to be able to successfully serve Lutfi with notice of the hearing; in the past, Jamie has complained that Lutfi apparently attempted to dodge being served.

The temporary restraining order, which forbids Lutfi from getting within 250 yards of Spears, her homes and her family's homes, alleges: "Mr. Lutfi has drugged Britney. He has cut Britney's home phone line and removed her cell phone chargers. He claims to control everything."