Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Rob Lowe's Lawsuit Against Ex-Nanny
Rob Lowe's Lawsuit Against Ex-Nanny
Rob Lowe's Lawsuit Against Ex-Nanny
-ic
\.
I
DREIER STEIN KAHA}I
BRO\ryNEWOODSGEORGELLP
Sanon L. Stein(SBN 045997)
3
lstein(ddreierstcin,com
FredBl Griffrn (SBN 066027)
LOS'.,#?PP*
\ fgriffi n@dreicrstein.com
4 Muibeth Annaguey(SBN228431)
mannaguey@dreierstein.oom
\
N 5 TheWaterCruden
162026lh Steet
"a, 6 6th Floor, North Tower
SantaMonisq CA 90404
\
\
q { N"' 87 Telephone;3 10.828.9050
Facsimile:310.828.9 l0l
H
\ AtlomeysforPlaintilh
G \9
io
7la
ROB LOWE and SHERYL LOSf,E
SUPERIORCOURTOF T}IE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
,gi !r
Ff
rJ
te
0
,B9
lt22
COTJNTYOF LOS ANGELES
a
o t3 ROB LOWE, an individual;andSHERYL c As ENo. 8C388579
zo ]tl LOWE, anindividual,
v) t4 COMPLAINT FOR:
o Plaintiffs,
v o o l5 (r) BREACII OF WRITTEN CONTRACT
zF v9, (CONfl DENTHLITY AGREEMENT);
|ll EI
F 7 t6
ct tAIrM BOYCE,ar individua!and
4 F {Z', I}EFAFIATION;
EI o 1 7 DOESI through100,inchxive,
q fran (3) BREACA Or DrrIY OF LOYALIY;
&
ct r8 Defcndaffi.
(4) BREACHOr flDUCIARY DUTY;
19
(5) TNTENTTONAL TNFLTCTTONOF
20 EMOTIONAL IIISTRESS;
2r (o NEGLTGET{TINELICTION OF
EMOTIONAL IIISTRESS;
22
(7' INTENTIONAL fiSgEI
23 irsnnpnrsENrArroN(oMrss$pf gF
24 (B) I\EGLrcENr
MrsRgEE$DthiBtd#
(ourssrox)i FFof
u25 s.,F
s=s
\- 6
{ \ \ r\o
ar)
26 za lJ t;
fi ,. 8{.
Lo 13ifi
t 27 gll
co rG
e
J (i t:4
FJ28 Ll
F?
c,r =
a
U
95t090_l.DoC
COMPI.AINT
Ffp r 07 2O O B 4: 5 6 P1 ' 1 p.2
t
I Plaintiffs Rob Lowe ('Rob Lowe") andSherylLowc (She;ryl Lowe') (collectively
4 NATTJREO.FIHp ACTTON
5 1- We livc in an agewhereinformmioncanbc distributedworldwidein a matsr of
I their loved ones. This r€quiresthat thosein their employbe rrsnrrorthy andloyal bccauseaoy
9 information abouta celebrityfrom his/lreranployee- no mau€rhow patentlyfalse- will be
O.
ll laursuit,LauraBoyoe,a formeremployeeof the Loweswho wasohargcdwith lhe careof thcir
"l
Fl
lll
1 2 two childruruhasmadestatemenbin violuion of ber prorfse not tq andhasmadefaleo
(?
&
o l3 slatcrneotsaboutRob Lowe andhis wife, Sheryl[,owe. The effect of her betayal reachesfar
-Fl
1e
;tn t4 buyondpossiblymarring the Lowos' imagein thepublic eyc,tut hasalreadycauseda
<ti
v6 l5 Semendowamountof barmto the entirefamily. Thry areall now grapplingwiththe rcality tbat
zFl ,st>
=z I6 someonewho waspart of their lives for thc last year ol so hasbee,ndisclosingdctailsabouther
z >
;fi o t7 crnplolmcnt with them aod evenmorecgregiouslSlying aboutthe oonditionsin which she
4&
EE
A t8 u'orked. By hcr intentionalandmaliciouscondust in completedisregardfor the futh or the
r9 confidencesentnrstcdto hcr, Dcfendanthascausedsubstantialharrnto thc lowcs, The Lowcs
20 bring this suit to sct the rocordshaightandto lake a standagaiostall thosewho, by beuayingthe
2l confidencesof thoscthey workfor, celebrityor not, scekto oapitalizeon their positionsfor their
22 own Enancialbenefit anil to tbe emotionalandfinancialdstrimentof their cmployers.
23 JURISDTCTIONAND \{ENUE
24 2. This Court hasjurisdiotion ovcr lhis action pursuantto its gencnaljurisdiaion
#zs
il
Powerssetforth in dre Constitutionof tbe Sate of Califomia and becaruethe arnoun in
't
i26 controv€rsycxceeds$25,000.
r.
it
12? 3. The Lowes areinficrrnedandbelierre,andon that basisallegg that vqruo in this
Countyis pmperbecauselhe Defendantresidesin the Couutyof Los Angeles.
b28
tt gscpo_r,Doc _z-
r.
CPMPLAINT
Ffp r O ? 2O O g 4: 5 6 PM p. 3
I THE PARTIES
) 4, PlaintiffRob Lowe is an individualresidingin the Countyof Sana Barbara.He is
3 a well-known actorvrho hasbad may leadandsupportingroleson Elcvision, film andthcahe.
A
1l through100,inclwivc, andcachof themwcrc in somemarucrrcsponsibleor legallyliablefor
-t
Fl
El t2 theactions,evcnls,transactionsandcircumstanccs
allegedberein. The rue ftrmeeandcapacities
(,
&
o l3 of suchfictitiously namedDefendants,whetherindividual,corporate,assooiate,or othenn'ise,
arc
lrl
33
-
t4 pesently unlcnown!o the Lowes. TheLoweswill soekleaveof this Court to amendthis
TR
!46 l5 Complaintto asscfr&e eue lrameoandcapacitiesof suchfictitiously nanredDefendantsuilrenthe
4>
ltl cl 1 6 samehasbecnascertained.For convenience,
.1 , eachreferenceto DefendantsshallincludetbeDOE
7
-,/
1 7 Defendants,
andeachof them. BoyceanddreDOE Defendants
shatlbe collectiv€lyrefe,lredto as
2n
A 1 8 Defcndants.
l9 9. Thp Lowes areinformcdandbclieve,andon that basisallegc,that Def€ndaols,and
20 eachoftherq mc and wereat all timeshoreinmentioned,the agents,senrants,etnployoes,
joint
2l venhuers,or co-conqpiratorsof eachof the otherDefendants,and at all tirosshereinnrentioned
it ll 2 5 tl
.i
i26 tl
Ezt /l
I
)
i.28
tn
958090_t.DOC
n
COMPLAINT
Ffp r O ' 7 2O O g 4: 5 6 P M p.4
'I
GENERAL FACKqROUI{D
2 10. Rob lowe is a 'rcll-known celebritywho hasbeenin the public cye for many
J yeaxs. Due to his celcbrity sktus andthc public's seemingunqucnchablethirst for the intirratc
4 detailsof all cclebritics,Rob Lowemust- asmwt all celebrities- be abloto tnrstNs cmployces
F{
il Srill not givc an/ interviews(whetheroral or written) or wrile or
J prcpar€,or assistinpreparationof anybooks,articles,priograrns, or
lTl
t2 otlrcr oral or rnnittencommunications dealingwith the businessor
(f
co personalaffairsof the 'Lowe's' andthe '[.owE'sParties',nor
l3 confirm or denyanyinfonnadonof any kind (whetherrumorpdor
-c I J
ee known in any wey) relatingto businessor personalaffairs of rhe
14 olov/E's'andthe
;ra 'Lowe'sParti€s'."
JO
FO l5
e >
Ft Et l6 IIpF'ENDAI{T'S pMpLOyMENT WITH TIIE LOWES
2
6a
E
qE 17 12. Defendantworkedfor the [-owpsoverthe last year or so :ts a f,aflnyto their two
!+€
ct l8 sons,Matthcw andJobn Owen(eolloctivelywith the Lowes,the 'T-owe Fanrily'). As a condition
t9 of hct employment,Dcfendantsigneda confidendalityagreement(the "Confidentiality
20 Agreement')jwt as every otherenrployeeof thc Lowes hassigncd
2l 13, Defendantgcnerdlyworkod2-4 daysper weekfor appmximately8-10hours,
22 sometimesrnoreandtravcledwith the [.oweaon at loasttwo family vacations.
23 14. Over the coutscof her employment,Defendantdevelopeda closerelrtionshipwith
24 theLoweFamily andfreely talkedaboutpersonal
andintirnatedetailsaboutberpersonallife with
,r 25 Shcryland otheremployeesand fliends of thc Lowcs,
tl
126 il
I
Y_27 tl
/i+z e
95a090_t.Doc
$
COMPLAINT
Fp n 07 2O O g 4: 5 6 Pt' t .P-:J-==_
o<
ll r€putation.
J
F:
lq
t2 18. hastakcna significurttoll onthe
Suchconduct,by onoof theirtrustedemployees,
&
o t3 entirefamily. The Inrvss arefearftl of their safetyespeciallyin light of Deftndant's appalent
*l l J
4r'
*o t4 conte,Eptfor the Lowes andher openlyadminingto lleing involvedwith violent andphysicalty
JF l5 abttsivepeople.
z,
Ft tu
f^z 16
::> FIRST CAUSE OX'ACTION
fio
=d
t7
(Brcech of lYritten Conract -- Confidentirlilv Acrcernent)
P rn l8
A
19. The Lowes reallegeandiucorpomteby referencehereineachof theallegationsin
l9
ParagnphsI througlt 18, above.
20
20, Defendanthasmatcrially breachedthe ConfrdentialityAgreemeutby, amongother
2l
&ings, discussingthe Lowes' businessandpcrsonalaffsirs with third partiesduring andaftcr hcr
22
e,uploymentwith the Lowes.
23
21. The Lowes havefully perfomredall of their dutiesand obligationsin connection
24
with tlre Confideartialityfureemenq exceptfor thoseduticsand obligationsdratharrcbe€o
U 25
-i
cxcusedor renderedIncapableof performingdueto Defc,ndant'sbreachesof thc Confidentiality
26
g Agreementas wt forth above,
? 27
a4
2t
g 9r8090_t.DOC
Lr
COMPLAINT
Rp r o7 2O O g . 1: 5 ? P l ' 1 p. 6
l 22, As a directandforeseeable
resultof Defondant'sbreaches
of theConfidentiality
) Agrcement,the Lowes havesufferedgeneral,specificandincideutaldamagesin an amountlo be
? prove,nat trial.
4 SECONDCAUSDOF ACTION
5 (I)efemstion)
A
ll Exposethe Lowcsto hatcd, conlcmpqridicule andobloqun and/orcausethem to be shuffpd or
J
FJ
trl tz avoidodandtend to injure them in their occupations.
frl
&
o l3 26. The lnwes ale informed'andbelievg andbasedtherconallege,that Defendant
-q)
; u) 1 4 rnadethe falseand defrrnatorystatementsat issuewith knowlodgeof their fatsity and/orwith
<ti
v5 l5 rccklessdisregad for their tnrth or falsity.
=>
!c EJ
Frt t6 27. As a direot andproximarcresultoflhe abovodescribsdconductby Defcndant,thc
2
sv
7 l7 l,owesbavesuffercdgeneraland qpecialdarmages
in an amountto be determinedat fial but
Hn l8 believedto be no lessthan$1,000,000.00,
inoludingwithoutlirnitatioq darnagcto the lrcwes'
a
t9 reputalions,oarEenand standingin thecormmrrnity.
20 28, The lowts ae informedand beliwg andbasodthereonallege,tbat Defendant
2t actcdwith opprcasion,taud andmaliceard that,tberefore,her conductjustifies an awardof
22 punitiveandexemplarydalages.
23 THIRD CAUSE OT'ACTION
24 (Breachof the Dutv of Lovaltv)
ilo 28 95EtD0_t.DOC .G
a't
COMPLAINT
Rpn 07 2O O g 4:5 ? Pl ' 1 p.?
3 wouldbe detimenlal to the l,owcsor their childrcn.This includeda duty of loyattynot lo useor
4 discloseconfidentialinformation,assct fortb in thc Confidentialityfureemenf obtaincdby and
5 revpaledto her during the coruseandscopeof her emplolme,lrreitherfor her own personaluse
trr
ll 32, By virtre of Dcfcndant'sbreachof herdutyof loyalty,the Loweshavebeen
Fl
darnagedjn an amountnot yet dctermined,but to bc provcd at bial,
rJ
rr1 t2
-()
d,
o l3 33. The Lowcs arc informedandbelieve,andhsed theroonallege,that Defendant
lrl
-' 2 . 6
Ei (A l4 knewabouther dutiesandobligationsto the lawes, yet intentionaltydisreprded thos€
<it
vE l5 reqPonsibilitiesin doing the ostsdcscribedhercrn,with the intemto causedctrimentto thc Lowcs
z>
FE l6 andfor her own persorralgain and interest.In dolngso, Defendanlactedwirh oppression,fiaud
2=
i.'o
Fg t7 andmalice,and on this basis,the Lowesrcquestthatpunitivedamagcsbc assessed
against
sl e
a l8 Defbndantin an amountto be determinedby the hier of fact.
l9 rouRTrrcAUsE
oI, acTIoN
20 (Breochof Fidnciarv Duties)
2l 34, The Lowes reallegcandincorporateby rcferencehelein eachof the allegationsin
22 Paragrapho
I through 33, above-
23 35. At all timcs rclcvanthercto,Dcfcndantowed fiduciary obligationsandduticsto
24 lhe Lowesby virtuc ofher statusasa nannychargodwith the careof the Lowes' ohildren. In fris
-r 26 LoweFarnily-
I
827
b" 9tt090_t.Doc
COMPLAINT
Ffp n O ? 2O O g 4: 5 8 P 1 ' l p. 8
2 space,
i2 6 thc performanceof her dutiesasthe naruryfor the Lowcs' children ard (2) thc performance
il
prusuautto the Confidentialily Agreementwould causethe Lowes sever€emotisnaldistress.
727
I
;r 28
t.!
tt
958000_t.Doc
Lr
COMPLAINT
Ffp n A 7 2O O B 4: 5 8 P M p. 1o
I
a 50. Defendanthasheachedthosedutiesby (l ) makingfalseanddefanatory
2 statments aboutthe Lowesmd (2) disolosingpersonal
informarionaboutthc lnwcs, both mre
8 SEVPNTH CAUSEOFACTION
9 - Omissiou)
flntentionalMisreoresentelion
or 1l I through51,above,
Paragraphs
F.l
d
o
tz 53. Dcfcndarq by virtue of her fidrriary ernploymentrelationshipwith $e lowes and
s 9s8090-l.Doc
COMPLAINT
Rpr 07 2008 4: 5 9 P1 ' l p. l1
I 56, andrupprcssion
Thstowc*, et thc tinresthercfailur* to discloec of faots
2 ' occunrd,andat tlrctimcrhcl,owcstookthcrcllonsallogcdhcrcin,wcreigrrorant
of thc
3 otict€nssoftfie focteu,hichDefendarlsupprctsed
andfailedto disclosc.lf thc lpweshadbecn
4 awtt of tlrecxlstrnceof rhefactsnotdiscloeed thc L,owcswouldnothevgasdrey
byDefcoder4
5 dl4 oontintndto havocmpbycdDefsndad,rllowcdDcfcndant
to sarcfor theirchildrcn.allowsd
6 esccnb tlpir homceor rllowcdDcfcnd*ot
Dcfendant ssoersto thcirconfidcnrialinformarion.
7 57. As a prorcirnatc flauduhntfaifurcto dis{losefacc endhcr
rcgultof Defcndant's
8 supprersion !o ernployDefcnduLcontinucd
oflbcrsasallegodkrein, theLnwcscontinued to
9 allowDsfendant to dlow Defendant
to carcfortheirshildnn,csntinued to theirhomes
apccss
t0 rnd continuad sccstrto thcltggnfijsfiialinfomationby mson of which
to allov/Defcndant
o' ll Dofbndntthasbccnrmjueilycnriched,
J
7 informationand suppressions
of the infonnationallcgedbereinwould inducelhe Lowegto
E ernployDefendaot
A.
II existenocof the factswhich Defendentsuppressed
and failed to disclose. If the Loweshadbeen
tl
J
Irl 12 awareof the existenceof the factsnot discloscdby Deli:ndant,the Loweewould not havg asthey
x r3 di4 continuedto have employcdDcfcmdant,
allowedDefendantto cr€ for rhcir childrpn,allowed
3
<=
2
-lll
l4 Dcfcndantacoessto their homesor allowedDcfcndurt aocessto their confidential infonnation,
MX 15 65. As aproxim& resultofDsfcndant'snegligentfailure to disclosefastsc alleged
a,
Ft Er 16 henein,the Iowes continuodto ernployDefendalrt,continuedto allow Defcndantto carefor their
2E^ 1 7
gY children,continucdto allow Defendantaocessto their homesandconrinuedto allow Defendant
H6 1 8 acccssto their confide,ntiallnformationby rcasonof wtridt Defendanthasbecnwrjustly enrichcd,
A
i] 25 il
q
i26 tl
n
'i zt II
'* 28
958090_t.DOC
E
COMPT.AINT
Ffp r 07 2O O g 5: O OP M P. l3
I PRAYER
roR RpJLrEr
2 WHEREFORE,Plaintitrs prayfor judgmentagainstDefendantasfollows:
) l. For genetaldamages,
in anamounttobeprovenrat trial;
6 2. For costsincurredhaein:
7 AS TO TIIE SECONDCAUSE OF'ACTION
8 (Pefrmatlon)
9 3. For generaldamages,in an amountto be pmven at trial;
t0 4. For punitive damagosin an anourtt apprcpriateto punishDefendantanddeter
A
ll othersfrom engaginginsimilar conduct;
Fl
ilz
I
5. For costsincunedhcrein;
{zr
tit
CI
9mo9o_l.Doc
s -13_
@MPI.AINT
Fl p n A 7 2O O g 5: 0 OP l ' l P. l4
A"
1l flntentionsl Misrenreeenlrtion-- Omlsslon)
-l
-)
r'l 12 18. For generaldanages,in an amountto be provenat fial;
(t
E
o l3 19. For pwritivc dauragesin an amountappropriateto punishDefendantanddaer
*F l
33, 7 4 othersfrom cngagingin similar conduct;
fR
v5 l5 20. Forcostsinsunedhe.tein;
=>
9 l tu r6 AS TO TrrE EIGHTTI CAUSE OF.ACIION
2E
Eio t7 (NcsliqentMisrepresenjation- Opisg.io4)
qlre
-&
A 18 21. For ge,neraldarnages,
in an arnountto bcproven at trial;
l9 22. For punitivc darnagesin an amountappropriateto punish Defendantanddeter
20 othercfiorn engagingin similarconduct;
2t 23. For costsing.uredherEin;
22 ll
23 il
24 il
ij25 /l
tl
\2 6 ll
'427 /l
{ 2s.
ei 9tBo9Q_t.DOC
I
COMPI"AINT
Hpn ( ] 7 2O O 8 5:OOP | .1
P. l5
I AS TO ALL CAUSESOF,A.CTrON
2 For any all sushfurthsr elief astheCourtmey deemjust andproper.
5
DATED:April7,2008
4
5
6
7
8
9
l0
F.
1l
J
,l
trt l2
(,
/
o l3
-E l
7)o
x- (, l4
<x
v5 l5
a>
fle t6
3F
H V t7
14 to
g
A l8
l9
20
2l
?2
23
24
!-.r25
g
il
T
26
ii
L!
2t
/
!
28
.fr
tlt I5E090_t.DOC
COMPI.AINT