Redstone Ex-GalPal Seeks New Competency Trial

Manuel Herzer, Sumner Redstone

The former girlfriend and confidante of media billionaire Sumner Redstone sought a new trial to argue he’s mentally incapacitated after a Los Angeles judge dismissed her lawsuit last month in the middle of a trial, according to Bloomberg.

Manuela Herzer claims she has newly discovered evidence that Redstone’s daughter, Shari, has been scheming for two years to have her evicted from Redstone’s mansion and to take control of her father’s life and businesses, including Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.

Herzer’s initial lawsuit last year to fight her removal as Redstone’s health-care agent, after he threw her out in October, has unleashed a battle for control of his $40-billion media empire amidst conflicting reports regarding the 93-year-old’s mental health. A probate court judge in May ended Herzer’s trial after one day of testimony, finding that Redstone’s videotaped deposition made it clear he didn’t want Herzer in his life anymore.

"The evidence at the new trial will prove in detail how it came to pass that Redstone has been transformed into a fragile shell of a once powerful media titan whose video testimony showed him mechanically condemning his beloved and loyal friend Herzer and embracing his long-estranged and thoroughly detested daughter Shari as his health-care agent," Herzer’s lawyer said in a statement Monday.