16. Love the weird rationalizing for Lowe.

Bottom line, extortion, especially on this high level, is a crime. If Lowe were as unjustly accused as he portrays himself, he would want justice and he would want the extortionists punished criminally.

The employees don't have money, so Lowe is not going to get money from them in civil court. He's likely hoping they'll be pressured into silence. Who's extorting whom, exactly?

It makes no sense for him not to pursue criminal charges. Unless he is lying - which would expose HIM to criminal charges. [Also, he seems spiteful because he wants the employee to have to hire a lawyer which they wouldn't have to do in criminal court. Lowe is using his grotesque wealth and abusing our court system, using it as a revenge weapon.]

Posted at 1:25PM on Apr 8th 2008 by is lowe the extortionist?

17. Is lowe the extortionist,

Interesting point. Plus, he could easily let the authorities handle the criminal part and sue them, too. That would send a message to any future extortionists and also show a firm stand regarding breach of contract, etc.

Posted at 1:51PM on Apr 8th 2008 by QE2

18. Doesn't anyone get this? If it becomes a criminal matter, Lowe and his family no longer have any kind of control over the proceedings. Whatever the nanny threatened to say will become public record. Once this happens, even if her claims are lies, they're out there to be printed...and that's hard to get back.

Posted at 2:27PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Louise

19. Well of course Lowe does not want this to be a criminal case. If that happens, ALL of Lowe's dirty laundry will be aired out even more so than now!

Posted at 3:07PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Dallas

20. Rob is guilty and he know's it he just does not want it all to come out in the public-TO LATE I SMELL A DIVORCE AROUND THE CORNER TOO. Remember back in the 80's when he was on the wild side, but he got away with sleeping with a teenager but did not go to JAIL!!!!!

Posted at 3:11PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Nascar

21. See? I told you he was lying.

Posted at 3:16PM on Apr 8th 2008 by R.Zimmerman

22. This reeks of BS to me. If someone blackmailed me - my first stop would be to the police... not a civil attorney! Give me a break they are suing a NANNY.... They are millionaires and are suing a nanny.

I call B.S. on this lawsuit.

Something is not adding up.

Posted at 4:38PM on Apr 8th 2008 by L-love

23. FIRST, this STORY IS BS.

Why?

Because the police do NOT need the agreement of a third party to pursue a criminal matter. They can pursue it if they really want to. But they wouldn't likely want to because they have much more serious crimes (you know, murder, kidnapped children, etc. etc., to tend to.) However, regardless of Lowe cooperating with them, the police can investigate if they want. It is the PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE (learn something here folks) that decides if they want to pursue a case criminally). If the police get enough evidence, they take it to the prosecutor, NOT the individual like Lowe. Now, the police can make an ARREST if they deem a crime has occurred. HOWEVER, the police do not PROSECUTE the case. That decision is left up to the PROSECUTOR. Okay. Lesson 1.

Lesson 2. Like others have said, but some refuse to get: THE INDIVIDUAL HAS NO CONTROL OVER A CRIMINAL TRIAL. Why? Read Lesson 1. It is the PROSECUTOR's case; not yours.

Lesson 3. LIke another astute person said (thank God there are a few of us left out there): Maybe he doesn't want to RUIN their whole life by unnecssarily sending yet another person with bad judgment to jail. The jail's are so overcrowded with stupdidity there is not even room for the real criminals anymore! So why would a decent family want to send stupid people to jail? Sounds like the Lowe's just want their name cleared and to warn the stupid former employees to back off. Pretty simple stuff.

Seriously, people; do you believe EVERYTHING gossip sites post? Sheeesh. The ignorance of American people is astounding.

Posted at 5:12PM on Apr 8th 2008 by OH PEOPLE, COME ON!!!!

24. Ok, Lowe says that he is being blackmailed, a crime called extortion. The police ask Lowe if he wants them to check it out and he says no? I thought that once the police knew a crime was taking/taken place they had to investigate...Or are criminal investigations optional in Hollyweird? To paraphrase the Bard, "Something smells rotten in La La Land."

Posted at 5:57PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Ed U Kator

25. What if... it happens to be true that they have just decided to target Rob Lowe because of his past and his need for privacy?? Privacy. Is that in any dictionary you have in your office TMZ??? Who wouldn't defend themselves??

Posted at 7:20PM on Apr 8th 2008 by pua

26. TMZ, the difference is that they didn't file a criminal complaint, they filed a civil suit. Anyone who has graduated high school should know that.

Posted at 7:31PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Just my opinion

27. I was kind of feeling like there was more to this story, but the fact that he won't file criminal charges against someone who was trying to extort money makes the whole thing a bit dodgy. Why wouldn't you contact the police first if someone was trying to extort money? If you've done nothing wrong and nothing to hide, then it would be a pretty open and shut case, wouldn't it?

Posted at 10:11PM on Apr 8th 2008 by Kitten

28. Ok, I'm from Santa Barbara, and I have heard the horror stories of people that have worked for the Lowe's first hand and for MANY YEARS now. I know people that not only had to deal with snobby bitchyness of them Lowe's but also their mizer ways. I had a friend that had to have them served with court papers before he could get paid on an invoice that was for several thousand dollars (don't remember exact amount, but it was 3 thousand something). AND there have been the down low rumors that the Lowes don't always have relations just with each other..... again, rumors, but Santa Barbara is a small town and when you hear the same thing often and for a long period of time, you have to wonder if there is some truth to it......

Posted at 10:41AM on Apr 9th 2008 by Dumb People Make Me Laugh!

29. I agree with Poster #4 that there is more to this story, given Rob's past. Also, not wanting the police involved, to do an investigation, is a big "red flag." Rob would have a lot to lose, if there is anything to the nanny's charges, like his career and his marriage.

Posted at 10:16AM on Apr 11th 2008 by Rene

30. Fool me once, shame on you . . . fool me a second and a third time, shame on ME!!!

Me thinks Rob Lowe protests too much.

Stay tuned for much more to come out on this story,

Posted at 10:29AM on Apr 11th 2008 by Rene