Hearing in Dauman Suit Vs. Redstone Set for June 7

By Jon Lafayette
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

A Massachusetts judge is set to hear Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman’s request that his lawsuit against Viacom’s controlling shareholder Sumner Redstone be expedited on June 7.

Dauman, and another Viacom director, George Abrams, are seeking to invalidate Redstone’s decision to remove them as trustees of the Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Trust.  

Related: Analyst Says Change at Viacom Could Boost Stock

They also want Judge George Phelan of Norfolk County Probate and Family Court to appoint a guardian for Redstone, who they charge is acting under the undue influence of his daughter, Shari Redstone.

Shari Redstone and Dauman have emerged as the main contestants in the battle to control the $40 billion media empire Sumner Redstone built. In addition to Viacom, Redstone’s privately held National Amusements owns a controlling stake in CBS.

Related: 5 Ways to Fix Viacom

"We are looking forward to an expedited dismissal of this meritless suit," Shari Redstone said in a statement.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.