Dan Rather files lawsuit against CBS

Dan Rather has filed a $70 million lawsuit against CBS, Viacom Inc., and three of his former bosses.

According to The New York Times, Rather, who left the network amid controversy over his reporting on a piece about President Bush’s military service, is said to claim in court papers that the company violated the terms of his contract by not giving him enough airtime on 60 Minutes after he stepped down from CBS Evening News in March 2005.

The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, 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 in compensatory damages and $50 million in punitive damages.