Tom Benson's family is fighting back in court, claiming he has diminished mental capacity after he announced plans to remove them from control of his businesses, including the NFL's New Orleans Saints and NBA's Pelicans. Benson, 87, announced that he plans to hand over control of the franchises to his wife, Gayle, in the event of his death. But Benson's adopted daughter, Renee Benson, and grandchildren Rita Benson LeBlanc and Ryan LeBlanc filed a lawsuit Thursday claiming he should not be allowed to do so because his "health and mental capacity have significantly declined" and he has "fallen under the undue influence" of Gayle, whom Benson married in 2004. "I am extremely disappointed by the lawsuit filed against me today by my daughter and two grandchildren," he said. "Their allegations regarding my mental health are completely meritless and their allegations against my wife equally unfounded. I will vigorously defend my decisions and the businesses I have built. The false accusations in this suit further support the actions I have taken in changing the succession and transfer of ownership. There is a small sign that sits on my desk and simply states 'Tough times never last; but tough people do.' Make no mistake, I will be back in the office tomorrow morning working hard, as I do every day, to ensure that the Saints and Pelicans are positioned for long-term success. This State, City and our great fans deserve that. I have instructed my staff to have no comment on this lawsuit moving forward." A source close to Benson described him as "healthy" on Wednesday night. And chief executives of both the Saints and Pelicans, Mickey Loomis and Dennis Lauscha, both strongly endorsed the ownership transfer in a statement released by the team on Thursday, as did New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond. Multiple sources also have cited the longstanding friction between Gayle and the family among the reasons for Benson's decision to change the ownership succession plan.
The 27-page lawsuit lays out numerous examples of alleged "bizarre and uncharacteristic behavior" by Tom Benson -- including an email that apparently was sent from Benson to his family members on Dec. 27, announcing that he never wanted to see Renee, Rita or Ryan again and his intention to ban them from Saints and Pelicans facilities and games, as well as other New Orleans businesses. Soon after that, Benson terminated granddaughter Rita Benson LeBlanc's position as owner/vice chairman of the board. She once was being groomed as his heir apparent. The lawsuit questioned the authenticity of the email and made several claims that Gayle has taken multiple steps to isolate Benson from his family while increasingly influencing his actions. The lawsuit also alleged several examples of Benson's diminished health and mental capacity, claiming that he has been heavily medicated in the past several months, while undergoing at least two knee surgeries. The suit also claimed that Benson has suffered from apparent memory lapses, including an unspecified occasion when he was asked to name the current president and guessed Ronald Reagan and Harry Truman. The suit also claims that Benson has forgotten his wife's name and once failed to recognize daughter Renee. And it claims that under Gayle's supervision, Benson's diet has "drastically deteriorated," with candy, ice cream, sodas and red wine replacing full, nutritious meals.
Benson was hospitalized twice and treated for dehydration during the team's training camp in West Virginia last summer before he returned home because he was having difficulty with the altitude. He subsequently had another knee surgery and has often required the use of a wheelchair or walker since then. However, Benson has continued to make occasional public appearances -- including a visit with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune on Wednesday, when he announced his plans to change his succession plan, and he made an appearance at the Pelicans game Wednesday night. The lawsuit, however, claims "although he may appear lucid for brief periods of time, such apparent lucidity quickly turns into confusion." The lawsuit lists a number of alleged "bizarre" actions regarding business dealings, mostly intended to isolate the family, and claims that Gayle Benson urged her husband into an attempt to purchase the Fairgrounds Race Course and Slots, even though the NFL forbids owners from having interests in gambling facilities. The lawsuit claims that the "petitioners have done nothing to provoke any of the above, unjustified actions and have sought and still seek to reconcile with" Benson.
The attached email allegedly sent by Benson on Dec. 27 read:
"Suddenly after I remarried you all became offensive and did not act in an appropriate manner and even had arguments among yourselves which created a very unpleasant family situation which I will not stand for. It made me very unhappy and uncomfortable. This situation cannot continue at my age. Because of the facts set out above and the heart break you have caused me I want no further contact with any of you ..."
The lawsuit asked for a full interdiction, with Renee LeBlanc being appointed as the curatrix of the person and property of Tom Benson, with Rita Benson LeBlanc as undercurator. It also asked for Benson to be examined by a certified psychiatrist. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Gayle Benson, 67, was in significant debt and had limited credit when she met Benson. And the suit claims she is unfit for ownership of the Benson businesses because she has never owned, operated or managed a substantial business enterprise and had stated publicly before marrying Benson that she had no interest in football, basketball or sports in general. Multiple sources throughout the Saints and Pelicans organizations have widely praised Gayle both on and off the record, including quarterback Drew Brees, who was quoted by various media outlets while at the Pro Bowl on Thursday as saying, "I absolutely love Gayle" and that she is one of the sweetest people he's ever met. Gayle has been often praised as a positive influence in Tom's growing commitment to New Orleans and increased philanthropic endeavors. She helped arrange a lucrative Superdome sponsorship deal with Mercedes-Benz. And she has been credited for helping to re-brand the Pelicans (formerly the Hornets), which Tom Benson purchased in 2012. Benson's succession plan for the Saints would need to be approved by three-fourths of NFL owners. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said: "We are aware of the intent of the transaction and it is under review for the appropriate league approvals." Benson also notified the NBA of the change, and it would have to be approved by the other owners, a league source said.
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“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1″ shot past “Guardians of the Galaxy” to become the highest grossing domestic release of 2014. It’s the second time in a row that the dystopian franchise has topped the charts. It gives Lionsgate bragging rights as the studio with the top film in consecutive years, something that no one else has achieved in over a decade. “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1″ hit $333.2 million on Wednesday, edging past “Guardians” at $333.17 million at the U.S. box office. Lionsgate also announced that it will release the Digital HD verison of “Mockingjay Part 1″ on Feb. 17 and the Blu-ray Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital HD), DVD (plus Digital) and On Demand versions on March 6. “Mockingjay – Part 1″ opens in China on Feb. 8. It has already grossed more than $700 million worldwide, bringing global box office for the three “Hunger Games” films to over $2.2 billion.
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After major theater chains pulled out from showing "The Interview" in the face of terrorist threats, Sony Pictures had to scramble to pull together an emergency digital release for the R-rated comedy. The publicity surrounding the cancellation has helped "The Interview" find an audience online and on-demand. The studio reports that the film has generated over $40 million in rentals and sales from Wednesday, December 24, 2014 through Sunday, January 18, 2015. In addition, "The Interview" has been rented or purchased online and through cable, satellite, and telecom providers more than 5.8 million times. Despite those impressive figures, it's not clear if the film will be profitable. It cost roughly $75 million to produce and market, according to knowledgeable insiders, and theatrical ticket sales have been minuscule. The film has made roughly $6 million domestically. The film about a hapless TV host tasked with assassinating Kim Jong-un was originally intended to be released on roughly 3,000 screens on Christmas Day. However, the subject matter allegedly inspired a cyber-attack from North Korea that brought Sony to its knees. After hackers evoked 9/11 and threatened violence, a theatrical release was briefly scuttled. After Sony announced it was changing course and releasing the film on digital platforms, major theater chains refused to screen it. That left a few hundred arthouse and independent theaters who were willing to exhibit the picture.
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Melissa Benoist, who appeared on Glee, has landed the lead role on CBS' Supergirl series. Benoist will play Kara Zor-El, an alien from Krypton who escaped to Earth during her home planet's destruction. Since arriving on Earth, Kara has hid her powers, but now at 24, she decides to become the superhero she was meant to be. Arrow's Greg Berlanti will write and executive-produce the one-hour drama with Ali Adler. Sarah Schechter will also executive-produce. Besides Glee, Benoist co-starred in Whiplash last year and can next be seen in Danny Collinsopposite Al Pacino, Annette Bening and Jennifer Garner.
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Fitness expert and Bravo reality star Greg Plitt died Saturday after being struck by a train in Burbank, Calif. He was 37. Plitt was struck at about 4 p.m. Saturday on the train tracks north of the Burbank Metrolink Station. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police are investigating, but do not believe his death was a suicide. Police told People that a camera was found near the scene and it appears that Plitt was filming something at the time of his death, he had previously posted videos of himself working out on or near train tracks. A former U.S. Army ranger who went on to work as a fitness instructor, model and motivational speaker, images of Plitt's body were used to create Dr. Manhattan's physique in the 2009 film Watchmen. Plitt appeared on Bravo's Work Out in 2008 and returned to the network this year for the reality show Friends to Lovers, which premiered on Jan. 12. After hearing of Plitt's death, Bravo's Andy Cohen tweeted Sunday that he viewed him "like Superman."
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Rider Strong, who starred as Shawn Hunter on Boy Meets World, and his wife Alexandra Barreto have welcomed their first child. The couple, who kept the pregnancy under wraps, welcomed son Indigo "Indy" Barreto Strong on Dec. 28. Strong met Barreto, who recurs on The Fosters, while working on Pepper Dennis in 2006. He proposed just before Christmas 2012 with a handcrafted ring. One year later, they wed at a summer camp in Oregon.
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The wedding took place at the couple's home. This is the first marriage for Gordon-Levitt, 33, who confirmed in 2013 that he was in a relationship with someone who was not involved in show business. McCauley is the founder of a robotics company.
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Malcolm-Jamal Warner has broken his silence on the allegations against his former Cosby Showco-star Bill Cosby. "He's one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor," Warner told Billboard. "Just as it's painful to hear any woman talk about sexual assault, whether true or not, it's just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this. "I can't really speak on any of the allegations because obviously, I was not there," Warner continued. "The Bill Cosby I know has been great to me and great for a lot of people. What he's done for comedy and television has been legendary and history-making. What he's done for the black community and education has been invaluable. That's the Bill Cosby I know. I can't speak on the other stuff." Warner is not the first Cosby Show star to speak out on the 35 women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault. Cosby's onscreen wife Phylicia Rashad allegedly told a reporter to "forget these women." She later said she was misquoted and that "what I said is this was not about the women. It's about something else. It's about the obliteration of legacy." Keshia Knight Pulliam, who was fired on The Celebrity Apprentice for not calling Cosby in an episode taped prior to the allegations, has defended Cosby as well. "Unfortunately, in the court of public opinion, everyone has formed their opinion, but we're still in America and you're innocent until proven guilty of any crimes," she said on the Today show. There were rumors that Cosby assaulted Raven-Symone when she was on the show from 1989 to 1992, but the actress dismissed them on Instagram. "I was practically a baby on that show and this is a truly disgusting rumor that I want no part of!" she wrote. "Everyone on that show treated me with nothing but kindness. Now keep me out of this!"
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Bill Cosby has hired private investigators to dig up dirt on the women who have accused him of rape. Cosby is shelling out six-figure payments for information that can discredit the more than two dozen women who have come forward and accused the comedian of sexually assaulting them, including supermodel Beverly Johnson, since October. He allegedly told his legal and public relations team, "If you're going to say to the world that I did this to you, and then the world needs to know, 'what kind of person are you? Who is this person that's saying it?'" Cosby specifically mentioned Johnson when he said, "You can't say that I put something in your coffee, threw you in a cab and then you go on and live a high-profile life, a famous life and you never complain." His investigators reportedly discovered that Johnson never told her live-in boyfriend about the alleged rape, and that she only said good things about the comedian when describing him to her boyfriend. Another accuser, Katherine McKee, who is an ex-girlfriend of the late Sammy Davis Jr., said Cosby raped her in the 1970s. According to Page Six, investigators have found evidence online that she previously published glowing reviews of Cosby's stand-up and an interview that said she was "used to lying."
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Paula Abdul is back at Fox. After a three-year break from her last regular TV gig, she'll join So You Think You Can Dance for the competition's upcoming 12th season. With Abdul, who has been eyed as a full-time addition since Mary Murphy's departure became imminent, comes singer and dancer Jason Derulo. The pair will join returning judge Nigel Lythgoe and host Cat Deeley. “I have dedicated a large part of my career as a choreographer to discovering and mentoring some of the most iconic artists and performers from all over the world,” said Abdul. “So You Think You Can Dance has a long-standing history of launching brilliant careers for young choreographers and dancers in the industry. It’s going to be a true honor and pleasure joining this panel with Jason and Nigel, and I’m looking forward to an exciting new season.” Since her days on American Idol and her one-off season judging The X Factor, Abdul has been pinch-hitter on So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing With the Stars. Though she was rumored to be in contention as a permanent addition to the latter, the ABC series ultimately picked Julianne Hough as its fourth panelist. “With the new and exciting format comes a new and exciting panel of judges,” said Lythgoe, who also serves as executive producer. “I’m delighted that Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo will be joining me at the judges table this season on So You Think You Can Dance. Paula is an incredible artist and she brings the perfect combination of expertise and heart to the panel. Jason’s insight, humor and creativity will add a new perspective to the panel that we haven’t had before. I am truly excited, and eagerly look forward to joining the cast of So You Think You Can Dance,” added Derulo. “It is one of the most respected and longest-tenured shows on network television, and I hope to be a part of new growth and continued success.”
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