Rob Lowe Another Victim Of Public’s Fascination With Celebs
Rob Lowe posted an impassioned article on Huffington’s Post recently about a very difficult situation in his personal life. According to his portrayal, his family is under attack by a former employee, Laura Boyce, who after many years of working closely with the family, suddenly disappeared last November without a clue as to where she went or why. The Lowe’s for their part became concerned enough for this woman’s whereabouts they filed a missing person’s report, only then did she come forward, and the nature of her disappearance revealed: she wanted money or she was telling on them.
Sounds mysterious and salacious, huh? No doubt Lowe’s own sordid past from his youth may be coming back to haunt him, or in this case, used against him. Before we even get into the specifics, I will give you my take initially.
Anyone in the public eye who is forthcoming with these kinds of issues strikes me as someone who has the facts on their side, I doubt Lowe, who has weathered his own personal storms, would be so bold as to make proclamations about his families innocence against claims of abuse, if he weren’t sure they could stand up under scrutiny. I could be wrong, but human nature is some instances, is VERY predictable.
Rob Lowe’s post:
Harassment in the workplace, sexual or otherwise, is something I take very seriously. In my home and on the set, I have been surrounded for years by hardworking women (and men) whom I respect and whose rights are to be protected. But when people make false claims of harassment particularly for financial gain, it must be defended vigorously and openly, for it weakens the claims of legitimate victims.
A former employee is demanding my wife Sheryl and I pay her $1.5 million by the end of the week or she will accuse us both of a vicious laundry list of false terribles. It is an attempt to damage and humiliate not only my wife and me, but our two young sons as well. My family is devastated at this betrayal; this woman worked in our home and traveled with us off and on for seven years, without complaint. In fact, she left other jobs to return to work for us three different times. Several weeks ago she quit abruptly, leaving us without a replacement. Within days we received these texts from her explaining her sudden departure:
—— SMS Text ——
From: (phone number redacted)
Sent: Feb 25, 2008 9:47 AM
Subject: Sheryl, I am really sorry.Sheryl, I am really sorry. I have nothing bad 2 say about your family and really am thankful for what you guys have done for me over the years. I hope we can handle this as friends. I did not leave out of spite or anger, it was just time for my heart to let go. I am embarassed that I just up and left like this but I could not see another way. It was time for me to move on. I’m sure you and rob feel the same. My heart has not been in the job and that is not fair to you or the boys. I have nothing but love and respect for your family and would love to maintain a caring relationship with you guys. You have been a huge part of my life for so many years it will be hard to let go of those boys. I am really sorry Sheryl! Jess Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
—— SMS Text ——
From: (phone number redacted)
Sent: Feb 25, 2008 10:29 AM
Subject: Thank you so much sheryl and I…Thank you so much sheryl and I really am sorry. Please tell the kids it had nothing 2 do w them, they are absolutely amazing boys. It had nothing to do with you or rob either, this was me. I love you guys. Ps tell rob I’m really sorry as well
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&TDoes that sound like someone who has been treated badly? Nothing about abuse in the workplace or inappropriate conduct; nothing about discrepancies with monies owed, no explanation as to why she would return numerous times to a job she considered so abusive. Just a correct assessment of her relationship with our family. But clearly, if you are going to demand a million-five for supposed “anguish” suffered in our home, you’d better change your tune fast; so she did.
Everyone knows we live in a time where public figures are targets. But I also know of many people in everyday life who are paying the price of a climate where anyone can accuse anybody of anything, anytime, and hope for a big cash pay-off at the end. “Hush money” to just go away. Well I won’t go away. No one intimidates my family. My wife and I have many former and long term employees, all of whom know this woman, who can and will refute any claims of anything inappropriate in our home, or anywhere else. We will defend ourselves with vigor and without fear.
We live in a time where businesses build glass-walled offices to prevent this exact kind of “his-word-against-mine” extortion. But you can’t build a world of glass. You shouldn’t have to live in fear of being alone in a room with a co-worker or having to tip-toe through your own home. Conversely, legitimate sexual harassment, when proved-up, with witnesses and proper documentation is to be dealt with severely.
During her time in our home my wife tried to mentor this young woman. She took her into her confidence. We took her into our hearts. Having 18 years of sobriety, both my wife and I tried to be supportive as she struggled with personal issues. But we never saw this coming. Apparently, she wanted more. Recently, a colleague of hers has come forward to reveal that this young woman had “a crush” on me and told her on many occasions, “I wish he would get a divorce.”
My two boys are Jewish, by way of my wife. The other day I asked their rabbi for advice. She said: “People see threats for what they are, just as they see truth for what it is.” I hope that’s true. I don’t want to live in a world of glass.
Regardless of what the cynical public might feel, Rob Lowe has a right to defend his name, reputation and protect his family. We seem to have lost sight of the most important component in reporting news: the truth. Gossip mongering is part of tabloid journalism, but telling lies that harm people should be dealt with accordingly. If this women is found guilty of extortion and blackmail, she should be severely punished. Even famous people, for all their pampering and coddling, deserve the right to be treated fairly.
If as a society we allow people, like the aforementioned former employee, to use th trust that has been given to them to spread LIES and ruin people’s lives, then what does that say about us as the viewing public. I am all for expecting the famous and powerful to live up to their station in life, a station we as the consumptive public often have provided for them, but I also firmly and staunchly support fairness. At the end of the day, they are just people too and deserve to be treated no better or worse than the private citizen.
We got your back Rob!
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Wow, this is really sad. Did this chick just flip her lid one day? I used to clean house as a side job for a wealthy family with famous ancestors (in the NYC art world), and even 20 years later I would never think of revealing any of their personal problems or events to anyone. Nor would I want to make up stories about them, even though we may not have parted on the best of terms as friends in the end, because I still care about them.
I think that Lowe’s text reveals that this girl has some things wrong with her head, and it’s very tragic.
Comment by Capcom — April 8, 2008 @ 6:54 pm