Sumner Redstone to Be Examined by Doctor in Legal Dispute Over His Health

Judge rules to allow exam but will not have Viacom and CBS mogul deposed in medical dispute

Sumner Redstone
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A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled to allow a medical examination of Viacom and CBS chairman Sumner Redstone.

In a hearing today, a judge did not allow a request by Redstone’s ex, Manuela Herzer, to have the 92-year-old executive deposed. But the judge did rule to allow for Redstone to be examined for one hour by Herzer’s medical expert.

In October, Herzer filed a petition to be re-appointed Redstone’s healthcare agent after being ejected from Redstone’s home.

The suit, and her claims that Redstone is unable to follow conversations and sign his own name, have been rejected by Redstone’s lawyers, who characterize them as attempts to insinuate herself in his estate after she was removed in October.

Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman was named Redstone’s healthcare agent then, and he has repeatedly confirmed that Redstone remains in charge of his own decisions.

On Tuesday, a small investor in Viacom, Eric Jackson of New York hedge fund SpringOwl Asset Management, called for the resignations of Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone — along with President and CEO Philippe Dauman and the entirety of Viacom’s board — calling him an “absent chair for too long.”

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