Seaver Moves to Dismiss Parton Estate Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats
The nephew and former security chief denies creating a culture of fear and argues specific messages were not threats.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
A legal dispute has emerged between the estate of late country music star Dolly Parton and her former security chief. Bryan Seaver, who served as the head of Parton's security team and is her nephew, has asked a Tennessee judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the family trust against him and his company.
Seaver filed an 18-page response on Monday, Nov. 2, to a complaint originally lodged on Sept. 22 by She's Alive LLC, the trust that manages Parton's assets. The suit alleged that Seaver made threats and demanded money from the estate. In his filing, Seaver denies that he created a culture of fear or engaged in outrageous or oppressive conduct. He argues that the messages cited in the suit were not threats and were not calculated to intimidate anyone.
The response addresses specific incidents outlined in the original complaint. Seaver notes that some of the alleged threats received reactions such as HaHa from Danny Nozell, an executor on the trust and Parton's longtime manager. The filing states that the defendants deny the statements had or were intended to have a chilling effect on any person.
The litigation follows a temporary restraining order granted to the estate in September. A judge ruled at that time that Seaver and his security company, SAPS, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, LLC, had shown a present and continuing disruption and threat to She's Alive. The estate previously alleged that Seaver attempted to evade service of process by placing a no-trespassing sign in his front yard and draping barbed wire across the handrails leading to his front door.
Seaver announced Parton's death in August after a brief battle with cancer. He shared a video statement on social media to notify the public. Parton and her late husband, Carl Dean, had no children. Dean died last year. The estate includes Parton's music catalog and her Dollywood amusement park.
Parton's estate declined to comment on the new filing. Seaver told ABC News in October that the restraining order prevented him from speaking publicly about the case. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Source: ABC7 New York
