NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans judge ruled that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson must undergo a physical and mental exam by three physicians as family members fight over his mental competency.
Civil District Judge Kern Reese issued the ruling Tuesday in a lawsuit filed by Benson’s daughter, Renee, and her children, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc. They want the 87-year-old Benson declared incapable of handling his affairs.
They filed suit in January after they were removed from Benson’s succession plan for his teams.
Tom Benson’s lawyers say Benson made a “deliberate, reasoned” decision to eventually leave control of the teams with Gayle Benson, his wife of 10 years.
On Monday, in a related case, a Texas judge appointed two people to oversee a trust holding assets for Benson.
