Exam Ordered for Tom Benson

In the continuing legal battle over the ownership of the Saints and Pelicans, a New Orleans Parish judge granted a request for a mental evaluation to be performed on Tom Benson. 

The judge asked that the mental evaluation be performed by March 13.  Additionally, three different doctors will do three different exams. 

Tom Benson’s attorney says the mental evaluation is not necessary.  He added that Renee LeBlanc, Ryan LeBlanc and Rita Benson LeBlanc, are complaining after his appointment of his wife, Gayle, as successor and owner of the Saints and Pelicans, and that he has every right to do it.  Furthermore, Tom Benson’s attorney said he had the right to fire Rita from the Saints because he simply changed his mind. 

Attorney for the petitioners said the family is concerned for Tom Benson, who they believe is not making reasonable decisions after he sent the letter that fired Rita and removed her, Renee and Ryan from his board of directors.  This was their reason for requesting a mental evaluation. 

See Kelsey Davis and Juan Sanchez, Judge Orders Mental Evaluation Be Performed on Tom Benson, WDSU News, Feb. 10, 2015.