Redstone and Viacom executives go to court against each other

In a lawsuit filed Monday in Massachusetts, Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman and George Abrams, a Viacom director, challenged the mental competency of the 92-year-old mogul and alleged that he had been manipulated by his daughter into removing them from a trust that will control the direction of his companies.

The legal war erupted after Redstone on Friday unexpectedly ousted Dauman and Abrams from the trust, which will gain control of Redstone’s companies when he dies or is declared incompetent.

The dueling legal actions represent a bitter fissure in Redstone’s corporate empire, which he built into one of the world’s biggest entertainment conglomerates after wresting control of Viacom in 1987.

The seven voting members could move to dismiss the boards and leadership of Viacom and CBS and also make plans to merge or sell the companies.

The 24-page suit depicts Redstone as suffering “profound physical and mental illness” and being subject to the undue influence of his daughter.

“It is telling that Mr. Dauman is raising the question of mental capacity for the first time after he’s been removed when, just months ago in court documents, he pronounced Mr. Redstone ‘engaged, attentive, and as opinionated as ever,’” Klieger said in the statement.

According to the lawsuit filed by Dauman and Abrams, Redstone’s physical and mental health has diminished significantly since Herzer’s suit was filed in November.

According to the suit, he cannot swallow and requires a feeding tube to eat and drink and the suctioning of phlegm and saliva throughout the day and night to avoid breathing complications.

The suit also alleges that Shari Redstone made changes to Sumner Redstone’s last will and testament, including her appointment in April to a directive that would give her supervision of her father’s health care decisions.