Britney's former bodyguard alleges drug use on national TV

Britney Spears's former bodyguard is making media rounds to discuss his ex-employer's drug use after appearing as the much-hyped "secret witness" in the popstar's custody battle with Kevin Federline last week. "They were both in a nightclub in Los Angeles," Tony Barretto said on the Today show of alleged drug use by the singer. "The incident happened at her table. She had me hold up a curtain to make her area private." Barretto, who has also spoken to Britain's News of the World tabloid, added, "The other occasion was when we escorted her to a private restroom upstairs which we secured for her. She was in there for some time alone... I thought it would be appropriate to check on her... I observed this behavior." Speaking to Today host Matt Lauer with his lawyer at his side, Barretto was asked if he found Spears appearing to be "completely strung out" in an LA hotel room. Lauer also noted that Spears lives in LA, suggesting that her being in a hotel room in a city where she already lived qualified as questionable behavior. "Did you also see evidence of drug use in that hotel?" Lauer inquired. "I did," said Barretto, who said he was frustrated in not being able to step in and offer help. "It was almost forbidden to talk about her personal life," he said. "Britney doesn't listen to nobody. I mean, that's apparent." Asked if he ever saw Spears use drugs or abuse alcohol in front of her children, Barretto replied, "I have never seen her use drugs in the presence of her children... Alcohol? I don't know if 'abuse' is the correct language. I have seen her use alcohol." Barretto's lawyer insists that her client's only motivation for giving interviews is because he's the father of two young children himself. "In my personal opinion," said the bodyguard, "I'm just happy the judge has stepped in [to] help the kids." Meanwhile, Spears spent the weekend in Atlanta. "She went to Atlanta [Saturday morning] to get out of the chaos of LA, just gathering her thoughts, looking for peace," a source said.

source