Lowe to Sheriffs -- Stay Away, Outsiders

Posted Apr 8th 2008 12:07PM by TMZ Staff

OK, the story is now getting weird. We're told the Santa Barbara County Sheriff contacted Rob Lowe to offer help in the alleged extortion plot by an ex-employee, but Rob declined the offer.

Lowe sued three ex-workers, including one whom he alleges demanded $1.5 million in hush money -- or else she'd spread what he called "malicious lies." Law enforcement sources tell us detectives called Lowe yesterday to say they heard the reports and offered to launch a criminal investigation. We're told Rob passed, saying, "Your involvement isn't necessary. We're going to handle the matter civilly."

That's kinda strange, because extortion is a crime. Why not nail the person who's trying to screw you? We're just sayin'....

Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Rob Lowe

Comments [31]

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1. The old standard "We're told", eh? Who told you? Name names. Sorry, I don't believe a damn word TMZ says.

Posted at 12:25PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Tristania

2. Because it's not lies & he does not want it out.
Can't blame him.

Posted at 12:32PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Sandy

3. Did Rob make this story up to get some much needed public attention?

Posted at 12:33PM on Apr 8th 2008 by mickeylou

4. I have a feeling there's more to thi story given Rob's past.

Just sayin'....

Ta!

Posted at 12:33PM on Apr 8th 2008 by CoolGirl2008

5. Because in a criminal case you have far, far less control over how frequently you are forced to appear, respond in person, deal with cops, etc. In a civil case you hand it to the lawyers, do a deposition from your pool chair, etc. Much less ugly and messy and actually far more expensive for the blackmailers to defend themselves.

Posted at 12:33PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Del

6. Yeah, why not get the police involved in everything??? Everybody is telling on each other these days. A bunch of freakin RATS!!!!

Posted at 12:34PM on Apr 8th 2008 by guerabasura

7. I guess I'll have to listen to Paul Harvey for the rest of the story..

Posted at 12:38PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Tessa

8. Um, maby because not everyone wants to see a person get in trouble with the law and go to jail. Maby Rob and his wife still have residual feelings for this person eventhough what she is doing is very wrong. Maby it is just like Rob said and he would rather handle the situation civilly, as oppose to involving the law and having it result in a felony charge. Beleive it or not, there are people out there who don't want to see someone get it that kind of trouble even if they have been really wrong. I know that's hard to beleive with all of the vomit nastiness that get spewed all over today, especially on sites like this. Just sayin'.

Posted at 12:42PM on Apr 8th 2008 by colonel sanders

9. I don't have a clue as to what's going on here but I do know that it is much easier to win a civil case with the preponderance of evidence standard than it is to win in criminal court with the burden of proof being beyond reasonable doubt.
There are suits that would be unwinable criminally but succeed quite well in civil court.

Posted at 12:47PM on Apr 8th 2008 by leni

10. Yeah - good advice to get the cops involved, so one of them can leak the gorey details to TMZ.....

Posted at 12:47PM on Apr 8th 2008 by kashmir

11. Lowe doesn't want to file criminal charges because he's full of crap. He's conducting a smear and intimidation campaign using gangsters/lawyers. He thinks burying the employee in legal fees will shut them up.

If he files criminal charges, he will be guilty of filing a false police report which is a crime. Also, it becomes harder to drop the charges.

This is getting clearer. The employee has some nasty info on Lowe. Lowe is lying, and using civil court as a weapon to silence the employee.

Posted at 1:04PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Lowe lying

12. By handling it in civil court the Lowe's only have to provide what information they want to. And by the way the law has screwed up other past cases why would you bother with them and take the chance of them screwing up another.

Posted at 1:10PM on Apr 8th 2008 by jds67

13. Sounds like the Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department made Rob Lowe a little nervous?

Posted at 1:14PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Why so nervous, Rob?

14. This is what money and fame gets you. Especially if you live a less than Godly manner.

Posted at 1:19PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Tired of it all

15. Lowe doesn't want somone looking through his things.....

Posted at 1:19PM on Apr 8th 2008 by web

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