Manuela Herzer, the former health care agent to Sumner Redstone, has lost her bid to have the billionaire evaluated for competency. She filed her case with Los Angeles Superior Court following her removal as agent in favor of the current CEO of Viacom, a company controlled by Redstone. There has been much speculation over the health, be it mental and physical, of the CBS and Viacom chairman due to his recent withdrawal from public events such as earnings calls. However, Redstone’s lawyers stated that their client is in excellent health and that and challenges to his competency are being done purely for personal financial gain. However, concerns still exist due to the lack of succession plan for control over the portfolio of media companies that are owned by Redstone.
See, Mental health examination of Viacom billionaire Sumner Redstone is rejected by judge despite ex-girlfriend claiming he was an ‘incompetent living ghost‘, Daily Mail, November 30, 2015.
Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.
