Dolly Parton’s estate has asked a Tennessee court to restrict her nephew’s contact with its employees and business partners, alleging that he made increasingly threatening statements and threatened to damage the country music star’s legacy.
The request was filed Tuesday in Nashville by She’s Alive, the entity responsible for managing and protecting Parton’s professional property and business interests.
Court documents allege that Bryan Seaver, who previously owned a company providing Parton’s security, sent threatening messages in the weeks before and after her death from cancer last month.
Seaver did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment.
According to the court filing, She’s Alive terminated Seaver and his company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, last week, citing what it described as “terrorizing conduct.”
The estate is seeking a temporary restraining order that would prevent Seaver from communicating with or coming within 1,000 feet of She’s Alive employees, lawyers and business partners.
It also seeks to prevent him from interfering with the estate’s business relationships.
The court documents include text messages and emails that She’s Alive says were sent by Seaver.
In one message dated 1 September, Seaver allegedly threatened to publicly attack Parton’s business relationships.
“I’m going to set up a podcast dedicated to ruining Dolly’s brand partnerships and telling the violations these people have done on us. It’s going to be great. Or f——— pay me.”
The estate also alleges that Seaver referred to his experience working for private military contractors during the Iraq War while making the threats.
According to the filing, the messages contributed to the departure of Parton’s trusts and estates lawyer and resignations among She’s Alive employees.
The estate also said it had been forced to hire private security for employees, including protection at their homes.
She’s Alive is operated by Danny Nozell, Parton’s longtime manager.
The legal dispute marks an apparent breakdown in the estate process surrounding Parton, whose public image and business interests had been carefully managed during her career.
Parton wrote hundreds of songs during her career, including “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors” and “I Will Always Love You.”
Her music has generated more than 100 million sales worldwide and more than one billion online streams.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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