Judge orders exam of Viacom chief
Media mogul Sumner Redstone must undergo an hourlong medical examination by a psychiatrist to generate evidence in an ongoing legal dispute.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David J. Cowan’s ruled Friday that a doctor hired by Redstone’s former companion will be allowed to examine the ailing 92- year- old executive chairman of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.
The doctor’s examination could support Manuela Herzer’s contention that Redstone is no longer mentally competent.
Herzer, 51, managed Redstone’s household affairs and his day- to- day care until mid- October, when she was asked to leave Redstone’s mansion in Beverly Park. She also was removed from her prominent position as the agent in charge of Redstone’s advance healthcare directive should the mogul become incapacitated.
Cowan, in a tentative ruling Friday, wrote it was only fair that doctors on both sides of the legal dispute be allowed to examine Redstone.
Two doctors who treat Redstone have already testified that the mogul is mentally competent.
The judge said an examination by a third doctor, Dr. Stephen Read, who was selected by Herzer and her attorneys, could not be video-- taped. Redstone’s speech pathologist and his nurse can be present during the exam.
“We are gratified that Judge Cowan struck an equitable balance that assures our client has a fair opportunity to prove that her beloved Sumner was not competent when the attorneys had him remove her as his health caregiver,” Herzer’s attorney, Pierce O’Donnell, said in a statement.
The judge once again denied a request from Herzer and her lawyers that Redstone provide sworn testimony in a deposition.
“We are gratified that the court continues to reject Ms. Herzer’s increasingly desperate and disingenuous attempts to depose Mr. Redstone,” Redstone’s attorney, Gabrielle Vidal, said in a statement after a court hearing.
In Cowan’s tentative ruling, provided to The Times, the judge wrote: “The court grants Herzer the opportunity for Dr. Read to go to Redstone’s home, or for Redstone to go to Dr. Read’s office if Redstone prefers, for a one hour interview by Dr. Read alone, without Herzer or any of her attorneys or others on her behalf present.”
When Redstone replaced Herzer as his healthcare proxy in mid- October, the billionaire also allegedly revoked “part of his estate plan whereby he had previously left a very significant sum of money to Herzer,” the court ruling said.
Herzer has testified that she is concerned about Redstone’s health and his medical care.
“Sumner asked Manuela, and she promised, to care for and protect him for the rest of his life,” O’Donnell said. “Today’s victory is a major milestone in honoring her commitment.”
‘ Today’s victory is a major milestone in honoring her commitment.’
— Pierce O’Donnell, attorney, speaking of his client,
plaintiff Manuela Herzer