NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — After four days of watching witnesses testify in his interdiction trial, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson called his first defense witness Friday afternoon.
Up until that point, Benson watched his daughter, Renee, and his grandchildren, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc, take the stand in their attempt to gain control of his financial empire.
But Benson’s first witness was no family member; he’s closer to the billionaire than his own flesh and blood. Dennis Louscha is the team president for the Saints and his a long time Benson ally. In fact, Louscha is listed on Benson’s business and medical powers of attorney documents. Benson truly trusts Lousha with his life.
The courtroom is closed to the public and reporters, so there’s no way to know what Louscha said about his boss. But Benson made it clear going into the day that he was ready to respond to the days of testimony brought by his family members, the plaintiffs in the case.
Benson’s daughter and grandkids say he’s no longer fit to run his business empire. Benson says the three had their chances but weren’t up for the job. In January, Benson announced he would leave his professional sports teams to his third wife, Gayle.
“You know, I’m always ready for a fight,” Benson said on his way into the courtroom Friday morning.
If you need more proof of the rock-solid relationship between Louscha and Benson, just ask Benson’s defense attorney Phil Whittmann.
“Like gravy and rice,” Whittmann said.
The interdiction trial was expected to wrap-up this week. But it could very well run another week or longer. Also, we’re beginning to hear rumblings about who else will testify on Benson’s behalf. His wife Gayle is also barred from watching the trial, but she may soon find herself in the witness chair. For more information on that as well as the trial’s timetable moving forward, click on the video button above.
