Judge Dismisses Case Filed by Redstone’s Former Girlfriend

Sumner Redstone's competency case dismissed.

After videotaped testimony by Sumner Redstone, 92, was viewed by a judge, the effort by Redstone's former girlfriend to have him declared incompetent has been dismissed, according to the NBC News report "Sumner Redstone: Judge Tentatively Dismisses Health Care Lawsuit."

The troubles for Redstone, who owns a controlling interest in both CBS and Viacom, began when his girlfriend Manuela Herzer claimed that she had been cast aside by Redstone but that he was mentally incompetent and needed her to handle his affairs.

The case went on for many months.

Videotaped testimony by Redstone has now convinced the judge in the case that the case should be dismissed. The judge was convinced that Redstone does not want Herzer in his life and that if he needs assistance, it can be provided by his daughter.

It is unknown if Herzer will attempt to appeal this decision. She certainly has a financial incentive to do so.

Previously, Redstone's estate plan would have given her an inheritance worth approximately $70 million. She has since been removed from Redstone's estate plan, which his lawyers say is the reason that she brought the competency case.

One thing is clear: the judge in this case should be applauded for giving great weight to Redstone's wishes. All too often the wishes of elderly people about who should provide their care are not given enough consideration in competency hearings. 

Reference: NBC News (May 9, 2016) "Sumner Redstone: Judge Tentatively Dismisses Health Care Lawsuit."