Viacom’s CEO sues to get back as Redstone adviser

LOS ANGELES — Viacom’s chief executive, Philippe Dauman, and fellow Viacom board director George Abrams filed a lawsuit Monday in Massachusetts probate court that seeks to invalidate changes that ousted them as directors in Sumner Redstone’s trust.

The move appears to be unprecedented, and is a declaration of war over Redstone’s controlling interests in Viacom and CBS Corp.

Dauman and Abrams are suing Redstone trust members, including Sumner Redstone himself and Shari Redstone, alleging that she is manipulating her father in his weakened condition to alter the trust that will one day decide the fates of Redstone’s two media companies.

“Shari’s actions amount to an unlawful corporate takeover, and if effectuated, could have farreaching consequences for thousands of shareholders and employees of Viacom,” Dauman said.

Meanwhile, Redstone’s attorney in Los Angeles, Robert Klieger, filed an action that seeks to affirm the changes made on Friday that ousted Dauman and Abrams from their longheld positions as Redstone’s closest advisers.

“Mr. Redstone has been clear and unequivocal in his desire to remove Philippe Dauman and George Abrams as trustees,” Klieger said. “This dispute is not about Shari Redstone. It is about Mr. Redstone’s right to have the individuals he wants and trusts managing his assets upon his death, and protecting the financial interests of his grandchildren.”

The chance of success for the legal effort launched by Dauman and Abrams could be severely undercut if a Los Angeles County judge accepts the changes that were made to the trust over the weekend.

A spokeswoman for Shari Redstone also criticized Dauman’s allegations that were outlined in the Massachusetts lawsuit.

“It is absurd for anyone to accuse Shari of manipulating her father or controlling what goes on in his household. He has his own team of independent advisors to counsel him,” said the spokeswoman.