Sumner Redstone Medical Records Remain Sealed, Judge Rules

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - A judge ruled Friday that medical records and other sensitive documents will remain sealed in a case concerning the mental competency of 92-year-old Sumner Redstone, but the judge also said much of the information could become public during trial in May.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Cowan rejected arguments by The Los Angeles Times, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter that the sealed papers, including some of Redstone's medical information, should be made public given the billionaire's longtime role as a highly public, well-known media mogul.

"He is a person who has this different station in life," argued media attorney Jean-Paul Jassy, who also called Redstone a "powerful and influential man."

Redstone recently stepped down as chairman of both Viacom and CBS.

Cowan said that although he believes the press should scrutinize judicial proceedings, he does not believe Redstone's position in life gives him less protection when it comes to his medical information.

"That someone has an important position as a business executive does not mean he or she forfeits his right to privacy," Cowan wrote.

Cowan said the case is "unique" in that Redstone is not a plaintiff or a defendant. Redstone's ex-girlfriend, Manuela Herzer, brought the petition in November to challenge her 2015 removal as her former flame's health-care agent. She and her attorney, Pierce O'Donnell, maintain Redstone was not of sound enough mind to make such a decision.

Redstone's attorneys maintain he knew what he was doing when he removed Herzer. Redstone lawyer Laura Wytsma said some of the cases Jassy cited in support of the media position were inapplicable to the issues at hand.

Cowan said one or both sides may seek to introduce the sealed information as evidence during trial, at which time it could become public anyway. He did rule that some documents should be unsealed now, including emails and a letter.

Jassy declined to comment on the ruling.

--City News Service