Entertainment Music Britney Spears Under Investigation for Allegedly Striking Employee During 'Dispute' at Home: Police The Sheriff’s Department tells PEOPLE she allegedly “struck” one of her employees. A source, however, tells PEOPLE she “didn’t hit anyone” By Tomás Mier, Melody Chiu, Melody Chiu Instagram Twitter Melody Chiu is a Senior Editor for PEOPLE. She has been with the brand since 2009, editing, writing and reporting across all entertainment verticals. She oversees PEOPLE's music and events coverage and has written cover stories on Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, Blake Shelton and Sandra Oh. The Los Angeles native graduated from the University of Southern California and has appeared on Extra!, The Talk, Access Hollywood and Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines and Brianne Tracy Brianne Tracy Instagram Twitter Brianne Tracy is a staff writer on the PEOPLE music team. She has been with the brand since starting as an intern nearly six years ago, covering all things entertainment across print and digital platforms. She earned her Bachelors in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Southern California and has been seen on Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines Published on August 19, 2021 04:05 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Britney Spears is being investigated by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department for an alleged misdemeanor battery incident. Capt. Eric Buschow confirms to PEOPLE that the singer is the suspect in a battery investigation after an employee reported that Spears, 39, "struck them during a dispute" inside her home. However, a source close to Spears tells PEOPLE that the report is a complete fabrication. "Ultimately that investigation will be forwarded to the attorney's office for review. It's a minor misdemeanor battery [investigation]," Capt. Buschow tells PEOPLE, adding that there were no injuries reported. Another insider close to Spears, however, tells PEOPLE she "didn't hit anyone." For more on Britney Spears and other top stories, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day. "The housekeeper was holding her phone and Britney tried to knock it out of her hands," says the insider. Spears' lawyer Mathew Rosengart has not commented on the incident. Britney Spears. lester Cohen/Getty Buschow declined to "discuss the particulars" of the incident but explained that misdemeanor battery occurs when there is "physical contact" with another person. TMZ reports that the dispute happened after the employee took Spears' dog to the veterinarian and they argued about the dog's well-being. Capt. Buschow and Spears' lawyer have not commented on the specifics of the dispute. RELATED VIDEO: Britney Spears' Dad Says He'll Step Down as Conservator 'When the Time Is Right,' Slams Ex Lynne The incident comes just several days after her father Jamie Spears said he would not step down as her estate conservator until "the time is right." "Mr. Spears is willing to step down when the time is right, but the transition needs to be orderly and include a resolution of matters pending before the Court," Jamie's lawyer stated in a new filing. "In order to reach that result, the Court should encourage all interested parties to meet and confer in order to resolve those pending matters in the best interests of Ms. Spears." Britney Spears. Nicholas Hunt/Filmmagic Britney Spears' Lawyer Requests the 'Immediate Suspension' of Dad Jamie as Estate Conservator Britney has called for the removal of her father as estate conservator for months and has accused him of conservatorship abuse. Her attorney filed a petition asking that he be removed from his role. Britney's personal conservator, Jodi Montgomery, previously said Britney's medical team expressed support for the move. Although rejected by a judge, Rosengart also requested that a court date be moved up to consider his removal as estate conservator. "Although a two-month wait for a hearing on the Petition may not seem significant in the context of 13 years, Ms. Spears should not be forced to continue to feel traumatized, lose sleep, and suffer further," Rosengart stated in the document then. "Every day matters."