Rob Lowe Accused Of Sexual Harrassment

Actor Rob Lowe has been accused of sexual harassment by his former nanny, who claims he exposed himself and touched her in an inappropriate manner.

Jessica Gibson, 24, worked for Lowe and his wife Sheryl over a seven-year period, and claims in an 18-page lawsuit filed in a California court on Monday that Lowe "placed his hand inside Gibson's pants in order to touch her crotch" and "grabbed Gibson's buttocks without consent" several times between September 2005 to January 2008.

Last week the West Wing star claimed his ex-nanny demanded he and his wife Sheryl pay her $1.5 million (£750,000) by 11 April, or she would go to the press with allegations of harassment.

Lowe subsequently went public with the alleged extortion, calling it "an attempt to damage and humiliate not only my wife and me, but our two young sons as well".

Gibson has also made harassment claims against Sheryl, alleging the 46-year-old would walk around naked, make vulgar comments and discuss her sex life with Lowe, reports People.

But in a statement released on Tuesday, Lowe's attorney Stanton 'Larry' Stein insisted Gibson's allegations are unfounded.

He said: "Ms. Gibson's older sister worked for the Lowes for seven years. Ms. Gibson worked for the Lowes on and off for seven years.

She left at least two times, to pursue other jobs, and returned each time asking for more hours. She sent two emails the day after she left, both saying she loved the Lowes and her leaving had nothing to do with them but her heart wasn't into being a nanny anymore.

"This is totally inconsistent with her latest allegations. An investigation of dozens of present and former employees has failed to find one single person to verify her allegations. The allegations in the complaint are simply untrue."

Gibson's attorney Gloria Allred responded, "We don't think so," with Gibson insisting she only returned to work because "I love the children. I needed the job. I thought it would get better, and I was scared."

Gibson quit her role as Lowe's nanny on 24 February.

The nanny speaks below...