LeAnn Rimes Sues Over Invasion of Privacy

By Dahvi Shira

UPDATED 08/31/2012 at 10:00 AM EDT • Originally published 08/31/2012 at 07:30 AM EDT

LeAnn Rimes is fighting back against two women who she claims illegally tape-recorded her during a phone conversation without her consent.

Court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Thursday – one day after Rimes voluntarily entered a facility to "cope with anxiety and stress" – claim that Kimberly and Lexi Smiley "conspired to spitefully ensure that out-of-context excerpts of that recording would be disseminated to the public."

The documents state that Rimes does not know the true names of the defendants, so is using their fictitious names.

PHOTOS: LeAnn Rimes's Heavenly 30th Birthday Bash

The conversation – which went viral and was still online as of early Thursday evening – has Rimes attempting to keep the peace between herself and a Tweeter who defends Rimes's husband Eddie Cibrian's ex-wife, Brandi Glanville.

In the documents, which state that the Smiley women's actions have caused the country singer "emotional distress," Rimes seeks to be "compensated for the harm that she has endured as a result of the defendants' malicious actions."

By California law, both parties need to give consent to be recorded during a phone call, and Rimes alleges she was taped without her approval.

"There has been this cyber-bullying that has been going on for a considerable period of time," Rimes's attorney Larry Stein told Celebuzz. "These women have been merciless – vitriolic in their attacks … Rimes didn't like it, but she hoped things would get better."

A source close to the country star, who just turned 30, tells PEOPLE, "The events described in the lawsuit are a part of, but certainly not the only reason LeAnn has sought treatment."

• Reporting by MARISA LAUDADIO

RELATED: LeAnn Rimes Goes to Treatment for Emotional Issues