Dolly Parton’s nephew allegedly threatened to “destroy” her legacy and made repeated violent threats towards his aunt’s employees, a new lawsuit has claimed.
Bryan Seaver, who announced the Jolene singer’s death in a video message last month, was recently fired as head of security for Dolly’s properties after more than 20 years in the position, and he is now the subject of legal action from She’s Alive, LLC (SAL), the company created by the country legend to protect her affairs after her passing.
The firm asked for a temporary restraining order against Bryan, alleging he became “emboldened” after Dolly’s death on Aug 25, and it was granted on Tuesday (Sept 22).
Documents obtained by People magazine read: “Seaver began his campaign of threats, intimidation, and coercion a few weeks prior to Parton’s passing… In writing, he vowed to ‘destroy the entire brand’ and also told her entertainment attorney: ‘I’m not an entertainment person. I’m a killer.’ “
The documents noted Dolly “loved and cared for her family very deeply”, and felt strongly about employing members of her family who could fit with business needs.
In the weeks leading up to and after her death, however, Bryan allegedly launched a “campaign of threats, intimidation and coercion” and vowed to “inflict reputational and economic harm” on those tasked with protecting her legacy, including by launching a podcast specifically to ruin any brand partnerships unless he was paid.
He has been accused of making “threats of real-world violence” to staff, leading to his termination.
Documents stated: “As the entity entrusted by Parton to protect and promote her life’s work for future generations, SAL must cultivate a safe work environment for employees, advisors, and partners, free from intimidation or hostility – particularly intimidation by an armed former security contractor.
“Without relief, Defendants’ calculated campaign will continue to inflict fear, to destabilise SAL’s operations, and to cause further irreparable harm.”
The security head allegedly “boasted”, called himself “literally an international arms dealer and mercenary”, and said he had plans for “long-term vengeance”.
He is said to have told Dolly’s manager Danny Nozell: “I am [seeking] vengeance for my people for the next 50 years. I have no debt. I only own swords and guns.
“All I have is animosity and memory. But I’m going to spend the next times I have on earth ratf****** (American slang for dirty political tricks) anyone that has ever betrayed my family… All I do is warfare… Everyone needs to be worried about what I might do.”
And in an email to Dolly’s entertainment attorney on Sept 3, he allegedly described himself as a “killer”.
The documents claimed he wrote: “I sold $27 million (S$34 million) worth of ammunition and arms to the Haitian police on [the] day Dolly died. Entertainment is not my game.”
Employees at She’s Alive are said to have “resigned rather than risk retribution at the hands of Seaver and his heavily-armed confederates”.
The company wants the court to stop Bryan interfering with business and to award compensatory and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial.
Following the news of his dismissal, Bryan and his team previously told TMZ they are “dismayed by the unexpected and, so far, unexplained actions” following Dolly’s death.
They added: “We remain unshakably resolved to fulfil her final directive to protect her family, and we refuse to be intimidated by those whose actions we believe are being taken in bad faith and with the intent to profit from the life of someone who willingly gave so much.”
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