One of the former employees that actor Rob Lowe is suing, and in turn countersuing, has filed for a motion to dismiss Lowe’s lawsuit against her.
Jessica Gibson worked for Lowe and his wife Sheryl for seven years, and the former employee is now arguing that she did not sign a confidentiality agreement before working for the Lowe family. Lowe’s lawyer wrote in correspondence to Gibson’s claim that the confidentiality agreement “is missing.”
“In effect, Ms. Gibson has been sued for breach of a nonexistent contract,” the motion states. “The Lowes set out to punish Ms. Gibson…and intimidate any and all who might want to assert [their rights].”
Back in April, Gibson sued the Lowes claiming Rob Lowe sexually harassed her. The Lowes have also sued both an ex-babysitter and a former private chef, however, the case against the chef has since been dropped.
A hearing is set for June 19th.
Writer-producer and creator of “The West Wing” Aaron Sorkin has come to the defense of his former West Wing Star Rob Lowe after he was accused of sexual abuse by a former nanny earlier this week.
“I’ve only known him to be a gentleman who cares first and most for his family. I’ve worked with Rob twice – for three years on The West Wing and for another six months when he starred in the [London] West End revival of A Few Good Men,” Sorkin wrote in an e-mail to People magazine.
Sorkin said while he realizes that Lowe has been in the public eye for the wrong reasons before, he was able to turn it around and revive his career.
Rob Lowe is speaking out publicly against a former employee who is attempting to blackmail him and his wife, Sheryl.
In a letter written to the Huffington Post, Lowe explained that “A former employee is demanding my wife Sheryl and I pay her $1.5 million by the end of the week or she will accuse us both of a vicious laundry list of false terribles. It is an attempt to damage and humiliate not only my wife and me, but our two young sons as well.”
Lowe said that he and his wife are devastated by the betrayal; he said that they had taken the woman under their wing, helping her with personal problems until the employee’s abrupt departure.
Lowe also posted text messages sent from the woman soon after she left. “Sheryl, I am really sorry,” the employee, named Jess, said in the first message. “I have nothing bad 2 say about your family and really am thankful for what you guys have done for me over the years. I hope we can handle this as friends. I did not leave out of spite or anger, it was just time for my heart to let go. I am embarassed that I just up and left like this but I could not see another way. It was time for me to move on. I’m sure you and rob feel the same. My heart has not been in the job and that is not fair to you or the boys. I have nothing but love and respect for your family and would love to maintain a caring relationship with you guys. You have been a huge part of my life for so many years it will be hard to let go of those boys. I am really sorry Sheryl!”
As for why the woman has now changed her tune, Lowe offered his own assessment. “Everyone knows we live in a time where public figures are targets,” he wrote. “But I also know of many people in everyday life who are paying the price of a climate where anyone can accuse anybody of anything, anytime, and hope for a big cash pay-off at the end. “Hush money” to just go away. Well I won’t go away. No one intimidates my family.”
Lowe also noted he’d been told the employee had had a crush on him, and had frequently said, “I wish he would get a divorce.”
