New York Post

Herzer strikes back at ex-pal Redstone

- By RICHARD MORGAN rmorgan@nypost.com

One of the two ex-gal pals accused by billionair­e Sumner Redstone of fleecing him out of $150 million wants a word — or several — with the mogul.

Manuela Herzer struck back on Thursday by demanding to question the 93-yearold executive under oath.

Herzer, who was named in an elderabuse suit filed by Redstone on Tuesday, contends all the gifts she got from her exboyfrien­d were made with his full consent and blessing.

She is seeking to have Redstone deposed at his $20 million Beverly Hills mansion on Nov. 8 — and plans to be there for the showdown, according to her lawyer, Ronald Richards.

So does an expert to evaluate Redstone’s level of capacity and cognitive dysfunctio­n, Richards said.

Herzer claims Redstone’s suit is really the handiwork of daughter Shari Redstone, who with her father controls a $40 billion media empire that includes CBS and Viacom.

“Mr. Redstone does not get a bye because he is rich or special,” Richards told The Post. “The deposition will expose the theater his daughter, Shari Redstone, is engaging in at his expense.”

Herzer began dating Redstone in 1999 and reappeared in his life as a close friend and confidante in 2009. She moved into his mansion in 2013, having been invited to do so by Redstone and Sydney Holland, his girlfriend and housemate at the time.

Herzer and Holland are both defendants in the elder-abuse suit, which seeks to claw back the $150 million. The two allegedly obtained the gifts by preying on Redstone’s frail physical and mental condition.

Herzer’s deposition request exploits an unusual California law that requires plaintiffs to sit for deposition within 10 days of a suit being filed, Richards said.

Manuela Herzer (in silhouette) is taking film noir cues in her approach to the deposing of her legal foe and former roomie, billionair­e mogul Sumner Redstone.

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