Friday, 20 June 2008

Judge dismisses two claims against Rob Lowe

Rob Lowe won a small victory Thursday in the first courtroom showdown against a former nanny.

Rob Lowe is battling a court case against his former nanny

Santa Barbara, Calif., Superior Court Judge Denise de Bellefeuille threw out two of the 12 allegations made by 24-year-old Jessica Gibson.

Gibson's sexual harassment claims remain intact, however. The two allegations thrown out – on the grounds that there was no legal basis – were related to labor-code violations.

"We're very pleased with today's outcome," said Lowe's attorney Larry Stein. "The Lowes have consistently denied any wrongdoing and will be vindicated. The entire family is holding up the best they can."

Gibson's lawyer, John West, responded: "We don't consider this a setback at all, Jessica's case is still intact as a whole."

Neither Lowe nor Gibson was present at court.

"She's been lying low," West added. "This has been a very traumatic situation for her, she's doing her best to heal."

In her lawsuit, the former nanny claims the actor groped her and exposed himself during her seven-year employment with the Lowe family.

The Brothers & Sisters star vehemently denies he did anything improper – pointing out that Gibson voluntarily quit the job three times.

A week prior to Gibson filing her lawsuit, Lowe, 44, went public with the dispute on April 7, accusing Gibson of demanding $1.5 million in exchange for her silence. On that day, Lowe preemptively filed a $1 million-plus lawsuit against her.

Since then, a second former nanny, Laura Boyce, 37, filed suit against the Lowes, but only accused the actor's wife of direct sexual harassment.

The next hearing in the matter is set for July 10.

By Ken Lee