Lowe: Ex-employee is shaking us down

LOS ANGELES, April 7 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Rob Lowe said on the Huffington Post Web site a former employee has threatened to embarrass him and his wife if they don't pay her $1.5 million.

Lowe is best known for his roles in the films "St. Elmo's Fire" and "The Outsiders," and on the TV shows "The West Wing" and "Brothers and Sisters."

"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," Lowe said in the Post article.

"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. ... My family is devastated at this betrayal."

Lowe said the woman worked in his home and traveled with him, his wife and their two young sons off and on for seven years and never lodged a complaint before -- and even shortly after -- she left abruptly several weeks ago.