BRITNEY SPEARS - SPEARS' FATHER CAN FIRE MANAGER

BRITNEY SPEARS' father has strengthened his control over her affairs with an order to fire her business manager. Howard Grossman has been notified of a court order granting Jamie Spears the right to fire him as the singer's business manager. Los Angeles Superior Court commissioner Reva Goetz also ordered Grossman to turn over "all documents, records and assets relating to Britney Spears" to her father. Goetz issued her decision after an emergency closed-door hearing on Thursday (07Feb08), but the order was made public after website TMZ obtained a copy of legal papers on Friday (08Feb08). Grossman has refused to confirm if he has been fired or how long he has worked for Spears, adding, "My reputation speaks for itself." The move comes after Spears' mother Lynne accused her daughter's self-styled manager, Sam Lutfi, of drugging her to take control of her home and finances.