Sumner Redstone Sues Ex-Companions For Elder Abuse

Plaintiff

The SUMNER REDSTONE saga takes another turn with the VIACOM and CBS CORP. Chairman Emeritus' filing of an elder abuse lawsuit against his former companions.

DEADLINE is reporting that REDSTONE filed suit against MANUELA HERZER, SYDNEY HOLLAND, and 10 "Does, alleging that the women, beginning in 2010, "commandeered REDSTONE's life," moving in, taking over care duties, firing his medical and household staff and bringing in their own, and speaking for him after he lost his voice.  The suit claims that HERZER and HOLLAND told REDSTONE that "his daughter (VIACOM and CBS Vice Chair SHARI) and grandchildren hated him and did not care enough to call or visit, while at the same time blocking their calls and instructing security not to allow them near the residence."  They "had taken" REDSTONE "for more than $150 million and left him in debt" due to spending on gifts like clothing, real estate, jewelry, and cash, the suit contends.  The suit also notes that REDSTONE, at 93, has limited mobility, cannot swallow and uses a feeding tube for sustenance, and uses an iPad programmed with clips of past speeches and interviews to communicate, along with a speech therapist and nursing staff.

The pleading includes a recitation of the "Elder Abuse Scheme," alleging that HOLLAND and HERZER arranged a plan for HOLLAND to engage REDSTONE in romance (although she allegedly brought other women in to have sex with him) while HERZER fended off other women from his life, and the two would "use their influence over REDSTONE to install themselves in his estate plan and secure fantastic wealth upon his passing."  The suit goes into detail about how HOLLAND and HERZER allegedly got REDSTONE to cash out $90 million of stock and investments to give to them instead of waiting for him to die, and how the plan unraveled, first through reports compiled by a nurse, JOSEPH OCTAVIANO, documenting HOLLAND and HERZER's alleged abuses of REDSTONE to his daughter, and then when HOLLAND began dating an actor and ex-con named GEORGE PILGRIM, leading to HERZER ejecting HOLLAND from the house.  HERZER, too, was gone after nurses and staff told REDSTONE about an incident involving a letter fabricated by HERZER to replace HOLLAND's apology letter.

The suit is looking for repayment of the $150 million plus interest, attorney's fees, and costs for elder abuse, breach of fiduciary duty, and constructive fraud, plus punitive damages for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

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