Lake Elmo's fires

Ex-Stillwater High student on both ends of Lowe lawsuits
4/19/08 C.J., Star Tribune

Minnesota has a player among the former employees involved in actor Rob Lowe's sordid legal mess.

Jessica Gibson, one of the former nannies sued by the actor and his wife, Sheryl, appears to have grown up in Lake Elmo. A Stillwater High School spokesperson, reached Friday, told me: "She was a student here and withdrew after her junior year."

The Lowe mess first came to light when the "Sisters & Brothers" co-star wrote a Huffingtonpost.com piece about a former nanny allegedly demanding $1.5 million to remain silent about "a vicious laundry list of false terribles." Lowe then filed lawsuits against a chef and two former nannies, including Gibson, who has since filed her own suit claiming sexual harassment and alleging that the actor engaged in a pattern of behavior that included exposing himself and inappropriately touching her.

Gibson and her L.A. attorney, Gloria Allred, did a "Today" show interview during which the famed lawyer said she couldn't wait to depose Lowe. The actor has also claimed that his former employees ran amok at his home by allegedly engaging in wild sex, raiding medicine cabinets and breaking security cameras, according to various media reports.

Gibson's mom, who has been identified as a Lake Elmo teacher, her father and half-sister gave interviews to people.com.

Eileen Gibson, Jessica's mom, told People that she finds it "absurd to say she [Jessica] tried to extort money from the family. She is very compassionate, very caring and honest. She has a gift for working with kids. She loves them. She's very gentle and kind and values her family very much." Eileen told People that Jessica was discreet about her professional life with the Hollywood celebrities, which was off-limits for discussion.

Jessica's father, Jim Gibson -- a technology exec, according to People -- said that his daughter liked being a nanny and that the Lowes required Jessica to work ridiculous hours to take care of their two sons.

Attempts to reach Jim and Eileen Gibson were unsuccessful. To see the "Today'' interview with Gibson and Allred, visit www.startribune.com/a4283.