Rob Lowe versus the nannies is over. Both nanny lawsuits against Lowe and his wife Sheryl – and all pending counterclaims – are to be dismissed according to court records.
News of the dismissal of former nanny Jessica Gibson’s suit was quickly followed by news of the dismissal of Laura Boyce’s suit as well.
Lowe actually struck first, suing Gibson in Santa Barbara County Superior Court in April 2008, alleging she was trying to blackmail him and his family unless he paid her $1.5 million. Days later, Gibson filed a sexual harassment suit against the Lowes, claiming he groped and exposed himself to her over her seven-year stint in their home.
Lowe also sued Boyce in April 2008 for defamation and violating her confidentiality agreement, while Boyce alleged sexual harassment by Sheryl Lowe, accusing her of using racial and sexual epithets. Boyce worked for the Lowes for seven months.
Although lawyers are not commenting, mutual dismissals are the classic resolution of a financial settlement. However, in light of the recent ruling by the court that the Lowes could continue pursuing Boyce for violating the confidentiality agreement, the nannies may not have been in the most powerful negotiating position. My guess is that the ruling served up a dose of reality for the nannies and they agreed to take substantially less money than originally demanded. And the Lowes agreed to pay in order to get the matter done with.
