http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/19/business/media/sumner-redstones-medical-records-to-stay-private-judge-rules.html?ref=media&_r=0
By EMILY STEELMARCH 18, 2016 The medical records of the media mogul Sumner M. Redstone will remain confidential, but some other court documents, including emails written by his nurses and a letter from Mr. Redstone to his daughter, Shari, will be made public, a California judge ruled on Friday. A total of 15 documents will be unsealed, Judge David J. Cowan of the Los Angeles County Superior Court said. The decision is a part of the salacious court battle over the mental competence of the ailing 92-year-old Mr. Redstone, whose lawyers requested that the judge keep the documents under seal to protect his privacy. In the suit, Manuela Herzer, a former companion and onetime romantic partner, claims that Mr. Redstone was not mentally competent when he removed her from a directive that would have put her in charge of his health care. Lawyers for Mr. Redstone have called the suit meritless and asked that it be dismissed. Ms. Herzer has said that her top priority is Mr. Redstone’s well-being; lawyers for Mr. Redstone have said that she is after his money. Ms. Herzer, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter and Variety Media requested that the court restrict which documents related to the case should be designated confidential, arguing that the privacy interests of Mr. Redstone should not override the public’s right to know the details of the case. Mr. Redstone was executive chairman of CBS and Viacom until February, when he ceded the titles. He remains chairman emeritus of both companies and holds about 80 percent of the voting shares in CBS and Viacom. While the case concerns his personal life, it could have major implications for the two entertainment companies. Philippe P. Dauman, Viacom’s chief executive, has been ordered to sit for a deposition in the case. Judge Cowan said the medical records would remain sealed because the case was a personal matter centered on Mr. Redstone’s medical issues, not a case involving his public business dealings. Gabrielle A. Vidal, a chairman of trust and estate litigation at the law firm Loeb & Loeb, which represents Mr. Redstone, applauded the court’s decision and “its continued regard for his privacy and dignity in this proceeding.” “By opposing the sealing of Mr. Redstone’s private records, Ms. Herzer once again proved her utter disregard for Mr. Redstone’s wishes and best interests,” Ms. Vidal said. Pierce O’Donnell, a lawyer for Ms. Herzer, said the judge’s ruling showed that “the First Amendment’s interest has been deferred.” He said depositions were scheduled to take place in early April for Mr. Dauman and Ms. Redstone. “We believe the trial will be a classic drama of what happens to elderly persons of great financial means when they are no longer able to protect themselves,” Mr. O’Donnell said. A trial is scheduled for May 6. _______________________________________________ Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews_etskywarn.net
