A Tennessee judge on Monday dismissed a case brought by Dolly Parton the long-time manager of who was looking for a injunction against his nephew and head of security, alleging that he had threatened his estate and his employees.
Manager Danny Nozell requested the dismissal on Thursday after the two sides reached an agreement. Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles’ order finalizes this request without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled.
Nozell, who runs She’s Alive, an entity founded to manage and protect Parton’s estate, had obtained a temporary restraining order against Bryan Seaver and his security company, Squadron Augmented Protection Services, in September.
The complaint seeking a temporary restraining order said Seaver threatened violence and destruction of Parton’s legacy and business empire. Nozell wanted to turn the order into a permanent injunction against Seaver. The two sides were expected to publicly debate their claims on Tuesday.
Seaver’s lawyers said in a statement Monday that he “cares deeply about his Aunt Dolly, her music, her family and the legacy she left behind.”
“He made a career out of protecting his aunt while she was alive and remains committed to Dolly and her family,” the statement said. “Mr. Seaver is grateful to put this misunderstanding behind him so that the entire family can continue to mourn peacefully and ensure that the bright light of Dolly’s legacy remains completely intact.”
This dismissal puts a sudden and discreet end to a serious divide within the beloved country superstar inner circle that began while she was suffering from cancer and came out to the public in the weeks that followed his death on August 25.
Neither the parties nor court documents revealed anything about why the complaint was withdrawn, although a court filing indicates the parties had reached an agreement.
Emails seeking details and comment were sent to attorneys for Nozell and She’s Alive.
Seaver, which Parton had handpicked to announce his death, said in court filings that he considered Nozell a close friend and ally before the restraining order, and said the text messages cited by Nozell as evidence of his threats were a “private conversation between two friends who were both frustrated, grieving and discussing strategy.”
Parton was a much-loved singersongwriter, philanthropist and country music icon who rose from a log cabin in the mountains of Tennessee to a celebrity who spanned generations with songs like “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” She also left behind a business empire, largely based in her hometown, which employed many of her close friends and family.
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