New chapter in legal drama
Granddaughter joins suit against her family. Viacom settlement talks are reported.
Sumner Redstone’s granddaughter alleges in new court papers that her aunt, Shari Redstone, is the “puppet master” manipulating the ailing media tycoon.
Sumner Redstone’s granddaughter, Keryn Redstone, has upped the ante in the family drama, alleging in new court papers that her aunt, Shari Redstone, is the “puppet master” manipulating her ailing media tycoon grandfather.
Lawyers for Keryn Redstone, 34, who lives in Los Angeles, filed a cross-claim in Massachusetts probate court on Tuesday that supports Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman’s allegations that years of careful estate planning by Sumner Redstone were upended by his daughter, Shari Redstone, as the mogul’s health deteriorated.
The changes put Shari Redstone and her allies firmly in control of the Redstone family investment vehicle, National Amusements Inc., as well as the Sumner Redstone trust that will one day oversee the family’s controlling shares of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.
Lawyers representing the Redstones and Viacom were engaged in settlement talks in an effort to end legal wrangling playing out in three states. But talks broke down last week after court rulings, said two people familiar with the situation.
As part of the proposal being discussed, Dauman would resign as chief executive of Viacom and be replaced on an interim basis by his longtime lieutenant, Thomas Dooley, who currently serves as Viacom’s chief operating officer.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the settlement talks.
Court rulings last week in Delaware and Massachusetts gave standing to Viacom officials who are fighting to remain pivotal players in Sumner Redstone’s media empire, which includes CBS, Showtime, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, MTV and the Paramount Pictures movie studio.
Meanwhile, Redstone’s granddaughter, Keryn Redstone, remains on the opposite side of the dispute from other members of her famously fractious family.
She has long had a contentious relationship with her aunt, Shari Redstone, who serves as vice chair of Viacom and CBS.
Keryn Redstone contends that Shari Redstone masterminded the plot to evict Sumner Redstone’s former companion, Manuela Herzer, from his Beverly Park mansion last fall, and subsequently had Keryn Redstone cut out of his personal estate plan, eliminating a planned $6-million gift.
“When father was no longer mentally capable of warding off her newfound protestations of filial love, daughter made her move with lightning speed and ruthless efficiency,” wrote Keryn Redstone’s attorney, Sara Jane Shanahan.
Spokespeople for Shari Redstone and National Amusements declined to comment Tuesday. A Viacom spokesman also declined to comment.