Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, along with his sons Lachlan and James, attended a service at St Bride's church in London on March 5, 2016, to celebrate his wedding to former supermodel Jerry Hall. The event was captured in a photograph by Reuters.
According to a report by the New York Times on Monday, Rupert Murdoch's attempt to modify his family trust to grant his son Lachlan greater control over his media empire has been rejected. The decision, based on a sealed court document, was made by Nevada commissioner Edmund Gorman, who concluded that Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch had acted in 'bad faith' in their efforts to amend the irrevocable trust.
The trust, currently structured to divide control equally among Rupert Murdoch's four oldest children—Lachlan, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence—after his death, was proposed to be amended to strengthen Lachlan's leadership role. The amendment aimed to prevent interference from his three other siblings, who are politically moderate, according to the Times.
Commissioner Gorman described the proposed change as a 'carefully crafted charade' intended to 'permanently cement Lachlan Murdoch’s executive roles' within the empire, regardless of the potential impact on the companies or the trust beneficiaries. The court docket indicates that Gorman issued a recommendation or order on Saturday, though the document remains sealed.
Rupert Murdoch's lawyer, Adam Streisand, expressed disappointment with the ruling and stated their intention to appeal. The commissioner's decision is subject to approval by a district judge, whose ruling could be further challenged in court. The trust, established in Nevada, benefits from the state's strict confidentiality rules.
While a spokesperson for Rupert Murdoch, aged 93, could not be reached for comment, Lachlan Murdoch did not respond to an email seeking his perspective. In a joint statement, Lachlan's siblings James, Elisabeth, and Prudence expressed hope for mending family relationships, welcoming the commissioner's decision and looking forward to moving beyond the litigation.
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