This is a real possibility, thanks to crusading Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred. Sheâs bringing a âsecretâ witness to court Monday for the custody battle between Spears and ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Forget reports that the âsecretâ witness doesnât matter or wonât be heard. In fact, last week Allred filed a signed declaration from the witness, described only as a man whoâs had close observation of Spears’ behavior with her kids.
The judge in the closed hearing case, Commissioner Scott Gordon, has the declaration, and does not have to rule on it. He can simply read it and enter it into the caseâs existing papers. The only way the witness would testify is under cross examination. In other words, the declaration has already served as testimony. It would only be if Spearsâ side decided to question that the witness would be asked to speak.
And the witness will be there with Allred at 8:30 a.m. I am told that the witness could blow Spearsâ chances of keeping little Sean Preston and Jayden James. The likely observations from the witness concern drug usage by Spears in her home and in front of her kids.
Spears can simply forget reports that were spun to other Web sites that Gordon wouldnât allow Allred in, or simply rejected the testimony of the unnamed witness. Allred told me Saturday when I reached her by phone that Gordon accepted the declaration and even praised her work.
Thatâs not good news for Spears, who just had a disaster on the MTV Video Awards and is also trying to complete an album due in stores on Nov. 13. Last week, photos of her without underwear were widely disseminated on the Internet. Federlineâs attorney is sure to mention that in court on Monday as well.
Allred, who is often embroiled in very public cases, means business here by the way. Sheâs kept the witnessâ identity a âsecretâ so as not to start a publicity war. But when the declaration was filed on Friday, Spears and her attorney Laura Wasser would have learned his name. I am assured the person in question is not a drug dealer, and that his credentials will hold up if examined in court.
âYou may recognize him as we walk into court,â Allred told me. âBut maybe not. He is not famous. Heâs just someone whoâs concerned about the kids.â