Media mogul Sumner Redstone calls ex-girlfriend a 'b****' in Los Angeles court

The case over the mental competency of the ailing 92-year-old could also determine the future of his entertainment corporations, CBS and Viacom

Tim Walker
Los Angeles
Friday 06 May 2016 23:04 BST
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Mr Redstone remains the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, but stepped down as their executive chairman amid rumours about his health
Mr Redstone remains the controlling shareholder of CBS and Viacom, but stepped down as their executive chairman amid rumours about his health

It was an explosive opening to a court case that could have come from one of his own television network’s legal dramas. Sumner Redstone, the elderly chairman emeritus of CBS and Viacom, called his ex-girlfriend “a f****** b****” in testimony played to a Los Angeles courtroom.

The case to determine the mental competency of the ailing 92-year-old could also determine the future of his two major entertainment corporations. A summary of Mr Redstone’s taped deposition was released to the media after being played in a closed court on Friday, at the start of legal proceedings to decide whether he should continue to manage his own medical care.

Until last year, Mr Redstone’s health was monitored most closely by Manuela Herzer, his 52-year-old companion, whose lawyers have said the media mogul thought of her as “the love of his life”. But in October, he apparently had a change of heart, and the Argentinian-born Ms Herzer was ejected from his mansion near Beverly Hills.

She was subsequently struck off as his health care agent, the person who would decide on treatment should be become incapacitated. She was also removed from Mr Redstone’s estate plan, in which she formerly stood to receive $50m and the mansion, which is worth $20m.

Mr Redstone’s lawyer Robert Klieger told the court the billionaire was in full command of his faculties when he forced Ms Herzer out, and that she had tried to cut him off from his other family and friends – including his daughter, Shari Redstone, the president of National Amusements, the firm through which the Redstone family controls Viacom and CBS.

Ms Herzer’s legal team claims Mr Redstone is suffering from symptoms of dementia and that his associates and staff manipulated him into spurning her. Her lawsuit demands she be reinstated as his health care agent. Mr Redstone used the same insult twice in his 15-minute deposition, saying clearly despite a severe speech impediment: “I want Manuela out of my life.”

Judge David Cowan told the court to keep its mind on the “bigger picture,” adding: “The picture here is of an elderly man, and the protection of his welfare is the only purpose of this case.”

But the outcome of the proceedings could also have a big impact on Mr Redstone’s $42bn media empire. CBS is one of US television’s major networks; Viacom is the parent company for properties including Paramount Pictures, MTV, Comedy Central and the UK’s Channel 5.

Mr Redstone remains the controlling shareholder of both companies, though he stepped down as their executive chairman earlier this year as rumours about his health swirled. Ms Herzer and Ms Redstone have accused each other of trying to control the mogul and his media interests.

Last month Ms Redstone took over as her father’s health care agent from his protégé, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman, with whom she is also in conflict over control of the family trust that will inherit Mr Redstone’s controlling stake in Viacom and CBS. The trial is set to last until 16 May.

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