OK! EXCLUSIVE!! BRITNEY'S FORMER ASSISTANT SERVED WITH LEGAL PAPERS

She was Britney Spears' assistant for three of the most tumultuous weeks in the singer's life and now OK! can exclusively report that Shannon Funk has become the third confidante of the beleaguered pop star to be subpoenaed to give a deposition in the child custody war being waged by Brit's ex-husband Kevin Federline. It happened at 9:26p.m. PT on August 14 at the Long Beach Airport in California. Shannon, returning from a trip to Manhattan with her soon-to-be sister-in-law, was served the subpoena by Aaron Cohen, the former Israeli intelligence officer who now runs IMS Security in Los Angeles. Within the next few weeks, Shannon will be required to sit across the table for questioning by Kevin's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan, who is anxious to find out everything he can about Britney's parenting skills. Wearing a black Fedora, Shannon accepted the subpoena without incident except to say Just Leave Me Alone! Shannon was with Britney on July 19, the day of her infamously aborted photo shoot and interview with OK!. The girls were then inseparable, with Shannon often speaking on Britney's behalf. She also provided part-time nanny care to Britney's sons, Sean Preston, 23 months, and 11-month-old Jayden James, often carrying one of the boys when she and Spears were out together. Shannon no longer works for Britney but that hasn't impacted her loyalty to Spears.What can I do about this? Shannon asked regarding the papers. Is this a big deal? But honestly I have nothing negative to say about Britney so let Kaplan go after me. I'm on Team Britney! I support her no matter what. Kevin's a bad father.You can read much more about Britney and Shannon in the next issue of OK! on sale August 16.By: Mary Ann NorbomPhoto: Ramey