Britney Spears's Former Assistant Speaks Out 12/3/08

Britney Spears' cousin Alli Sims has spoken for the first time about her ousting as the pop star's assistant, insisting her former boss isn't ready for a comeback.

Sims was one of the people dismissed by Spears' father Jamie when he took control of the singer's personal and professional affairs in February (08), and she's still sore about being cast aside.

Speaking for the first time since she was replaced, Sims tells American magazine In Touch she was used as "a scapegoat" as Spears' family took control of the troubled star's life, following a double mental health scare.

And Sims, who worked for Spears throughout 2007 and into 2008 - as the singer struggled with personal problems, including a divorce and child custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline, is convinced her cousin isn't ready to be back on world stages, performing live.

She says, "This isn’t any old job. How can they say Britney is sick and then shove her out on the road, with all that pressure?” Sore Sims feels for her relative, but she's even more concerned about rebuilding her own reputation after it was ruined by the Spears family. She adds, "I have been accused of so many things I didn’t do. My reputation has been dragged through the mud.”