Judge suspends Britney Spears's father from conservatorship, citing 'toxic environment'

In a major victory for Britney Spears, a judge on Wednesday suspended the singer's father from the conservatorship that has controlled her life and money for 13 years, saying the arrangement "reflects a toxic environment."

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny agreed with a petition from Spears and her attorney that James Spears needs to give up his role as conservator. The decision comes months after the pop star pleaded for her father's removal in dramatic court hearings.

"The current situation is untenable," Penny said after hearing arguments from both sides. "It reflects a toxic environment which requires the suspension of James Spears."

James Spears sought the conservatorship in 2008 and had been its primary controller and biggest champion. He reversed course in recent weeks, asking the judge to end the conservatorship.

Britney Spears was not present at the hearing and did not participate in any way. Her father connected remotely, but did not speak during the proceedings.

The singer and her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, have agreed that the conservatorship should end and said in court documents that James Spears' removal was a necessary first step in "ending the Kafkaesque nightmare imposed upon her."

Spears's attorney has been aggressively pushing for the ouster of her father since moments after the judge allowed her to hire Rosengart in July. After the hearing Wednesday, Rosengart pledged to pursue "even more serious ramifications for his misconduct."