Sumner Redstone’s Competency at Issue

 Further competency questions about Sumner Redstone are arising after he suddenly changed the succession plan for his $40 billion media empire. Mr. Dauman and two other Viacom directors asserted that Redstone’s competency along with his daughter’s manipulation caused him to oust Mr. Dauman and George Abrams, both Viacom executives and members of the board of National Amusements, from the trust.

 Sumner’s daughter, Shari Redstone, is being accused of influencing her father to gain control of his companies. Worried about such inconsistency with his intent, both sides presented evidence to prove Sumner’s competency and any undue influence. Not all influence is undue, however, it depends on Ms. Redstone’s motive—does her desire to influence meet her own needs or her father’s. This question along with many more will help to determine Sumner’s civil competence.

See Emily Steel, New Questions Arise Over Sumner Redstone’s Competency After He Alters Trust, New York Times, May 21, 2016.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this Article to my attention.