Bryan Seaver says his heated texts about Dolly Parton's business were never threats

Dolly Parton's nephew is pushing back hard against claims that he threatened people tied to the late singer's business empire. In new court filings Bryan Seaver says his angry messages have been twisted.

What Seaver admits and denies

Seaver flatly denies ever threatening to hurt anyone connected to Dollywood or the companies that work with it. He says the texts in question were private exchanges with Danny Nozell, Parton's longtime manager.

He does not deny that the language got ugly. Seaver concedes he talked about wrecking the Dollywood brand and going after its partners. What he meant, he says, was harm to their reputations and never to anyone's body.

According to the filing the two men were close friends when the messages were sent. Seaver says they were blowing off steam over business troubles that followed Parton's death.

Money on the table

Part of the dispute comes down to a bill. Seaver says his security firm was owed roughly $251,000 for work on Parton's properties. His messages pressing for that money were not threats either, he says. The invoices have since been settled.

He also rejects claims that he tried to scare workers at Parton's properties. He says he has not set foot in Dollywood in more than 10 years.

Seaver acknowledges he had thought about doing a podcast or a big media interview to share his version of events. He insists that idea was not meant to frighten anyone.

The toll at home

Seaver says the fight has been hard on his family. He claims reporters keep turning up at his house. His 17-year-old son even floated stringing barbed wire across the front steps, according to the papers.

What he wants from the judge

Parton's business interests are trying to extend an emergency restraining order against him. Seaver is asking the court to refuse. He argues the restrictions leave him nearly unable to work in Nashville.

He says he never meant to hurt anyone and does not want the feud to tarnish his aunt's legacy.