(Stations: Please substitute the following for V0081, slugged Rather Lawsuit, which moved at 4:11 p.m. Eastern time. The new version CORRECTS third graf, suit alleges mishandling of aftermath of the story)


Dan Rather files $70 million lawsuit against CBS, Viacom

NEW YORK (AP) Former CBS anchor Dan Rather has filed a 70 million-dollar lawsuit against the network. Rather alleges that CBS made him a "scapegoat" for a discredited story about President Bush's National Guard service.

The suit also names CBS' former corporate parent, Viacom, and three of Rather's former bosses.

Rather's complaint cites what it calls "CBS' intentional mishandling" of the aftermath of the story.

The lawsuit was filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan. It also names CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone, and Andrew Heyward, former president of CBS News.

Rather is seeking 20 million dollars in compensatory damages and 50 million in punitive damages.

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