Popsquire

According to TMZ, Jessica Gibson (Rob Lowe’s nanny) is suing Rob Lowe for sexual harassment, alleging: (1) Rob “placed his hand inside Gibson’s pants in order to touch her crotch;” (2) Rob “grabbed Gibson’s buttocks without consent;” and (3) she feared Rob would “attempt to further sexually assault her.”

Jessica has lawyered up in a big way! Gloria Allred, along with Jessica, appeared on the Today Show this morning for an interview with Meredith Vieira. Unfortunately, Popsquire’s blog host won’t embed MSNBC videos, so here’s what you need to know:

1. Jessica says she never blackmailed Lowe for $1.5 million.
2. She chose not to report Lowe to the police despite the alleged sexual battery during her seven-year stint with the Lowes, because she “loved the children, and [she] needed the job.”
   
3. Gloria also indicated that Rob Lowe’s deposition is scheduled to begin May 19.
   

Popsquire’s perspective…

The playing field just became more even. With celebrity lawyer Gloria Allred on board, Jessica no longer has to fear the power of celebrity and likely isn’t paying for attorneys’ fees. In a sexual harassment case, a plaintiff (i.e., Jessica) typically is not required to pay her attorney until she wins or enters a settlement, at which point the attorney takes at least a third of the pot.

Popsquire smells a media battle! The odor is almost as good as a batch of homemade cookies.

For a refresher course on the Rob Lowe lawsuits, here is Popsquire’s recent appearance on TV Guide’s “Hollywood 411.”

Technorati Tags: gloria allred, jessica gibson, lawsuit, nanny, rob lowe, sexual harassment, sheryl lowe

According to TMZ, today’s session of the Britney Spears deposition has ended after approximately two and a half hours.   Popsquire’s perspective…

Popsquire would never agree to take a deposition in two-hour or 15-minute segments.  Taking so many breaks in between deposition days permits the opposing party (i.e., Britney) to re-group, analyze prior testimony, fix the story, and continue to prepare.

Britney: Be well and be glad that Mark Kaplan is more accommodating than Popsquire! 

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, depose, deposition, mark kaplan, pop culture law

According to People, Britney Spears showed up for a deposition this morning at Mark Kaplan’s office.  Don’t get too excited, though.  The transcripts likely will be kept confidential, so we may never know what kind of testimony she provides. 

Having said that, Popsquire thought you might like to know that nearly every deposition starts with the following question:  Have you taken any medication or drugs that may impact your ability to testify today?  Are you dying to know the answer?!?

In honor of free-flowing testimony, Popsquire dedicates the Lipps Inc. hit, “Funky Town.”  Mainly, Popsquire invites everyone to sing the lyrics, “talk about it, talk about it, talk about it…”  Come on!

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire

Although he’s been quiet today, Mark Kaplan, K-Fed’s child custody attorney, typically is quite chummy with the cameras.  Following court appearances, depositions, and/or meals, he seems ready and willing to talk, talk, talk.  He obviously wants us to get to know him better, so let’s take him up on the invitation…

Kaplan graduated from Southwestern Law School in 1973. 

U.S. News & World Report ranks Southwestern in the third tier of law schools, meaning that it ranks below the top 100 law schools in the country.

In 1981, Kaplan’s legal license was suspended for failure to pay Bar dues.

Kaplan also has represented Chris Judd, J-Lo’s ex and dancer.  Hmm…pattern much?

Speaking of patterns, Popsquire has examined video clips of Kaplan.  He almost always starts with a statement and then thanks the cameras when he’s done.  Then…he stands there and answers questions.  Yesterday’s statement after Britney’s brief deposition provides a prime example.  Work it, Mr. Kaplan!

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Get_To_Know_Mark_Kaplan_K_Fed_s_Attorney]

Technorati Tags: attorney, Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, mark kaplan, mark vincent kaplan, pop culture, popsquire

Popsquire is a proud papa.  His little girl, Britney Spears, showed up for her deposition today!  Is it a coincidence that Popsquire warned her earlier today in this post of the potentially serious consequences?  Let’s look at this closely.  

Popsquire posted the warning at 10:17 a.m. (PST), and E! reports that Britney showed up to her deposition at 11:32 a.m — about two hours after she originally was supposed to be there. 

It makes Popsquire happy to think he was able to help both Britney Spears and Eddie Murphy this week.

In celebration of Popsquire’s benevolence, rejoice with this classic “We Are The World” video. 

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, eddie murphy, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire, we are the world

Popsquire promises not to make today only about Britney Spears, but everyone (especially Britney!) should know that there can be very serious consquences for flaking on depositions. 

In addition to monetary sanctions (who cares about these if you are rich, though?!?), a judge can take action in ways that can be much more devastating to Britney.  Possible sanctions might include:

1. Prohibiting Britney’s attorneys — whoever they may be – from taking anyone else’s deposition until Britney shows up;
2. Deeming damaging allegations against her admitted as a matter of law for purposes of determining custody (and we all know what kinds of allegations are out there!);
3. Stopping Britney from testifying at any hearing or trial, thus stopping her from telling her side of the story.

Popsquire, of course, wonders whether any of these sanctions might be better than Britney’s potential deposition testimony.  What will she say? 

Do you think she will behave better or worse than this witness if she ever does show up for a deposition?

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Britney_Deposition_Watch_2008_Day_Three_Part_Two]

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire

It’s day three of Popsquire’s Britney Deposition Watch 2008.  After failing to appear for a deposition yesterday, this video has surfaced allegedly showing Britney driving around town instead of attending her deposition. 

K-Fed’s attorney must be loving this!

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire

Britney Spears’ child custody attorneys filed a motion to withdraw as counsel yesterday due to an alleged breakdown in communications between them and Brit. 

Although the rest of the reports stop there, Popsquire believes the real story is found on page two of the attorneys’ accompanying declaration (click here to see)…it contains a list of potential witnesses that both sides have scheduled to depose! 

The most recognizable name on the list is Oscar Anthony Barretto, Britney’s former bodyguard who recently made headlines when he claimed to have witnessed Britney using drugs. 

The other listed witnesses are: Adam Leber, Ashley Chapman, Lonni Jones, and Christina Cindrich (former Miss Teen USA contestant). 

Popsquire currently is investgating these individuals and welcomes any information you want to share.  Stay tuned…

[digg=http://www.digg.com/celebrity/Britney_s_Witnesses_Revealed]

Technorati Tags: adam leber, ashley chapman, Britney Spears, christina cindrich, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, lonni jones, pop culture, popsquire, tony barretto, trope

It’s day two of Popsquire’s Britney Deposition Watch 2008.  So far, no news of Britney attending a deposition.  As promised in yesterday’s post, Popsquire is providing insight into depositions as we patiently await Britney’s testimony…

Popsquire’s Deposition Detail No. 2

In California, lawyers generally have the right to videotape a deposition and do so for a many reasons, including: (1) a video typically can capture the tone of the session than a written transcript; and (2) in the event that a witness does not appear for trial, the video may be used as evidence.

A good lawyer advises his/her client to behave especially well if a video camera is present. 

Popsquire wonders how Britney will do in a videotaped deposition.  Do you think she’ll behave better than this guy?  Make sure you watch until the end — it’s definitely worth it.    

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire

We all know 2007 was a huge year for Britney news.  Popsquire is no psychic, but I’m willing to predict that 2008 will not be so different.  As a result, Popsquire is officially launching Britney Deposition Watch 2008.  Every day that Britney keeps us waiting, let’s explore something new about depositions and their role in litigation…

Popsquire’s Deposition Detail No. 1:

A deposition is an out-of-court cross examination that typically takes place in a law firm conference room.  The scope of a deposition in Los Angeles Superior Court is very broad, meaning that a lawyer can ask questions that don’t really seem relevant, so long as they may lead to relevant information.   

Bottom line: K-Fed’s lawyers will be able to ask a lot of questions, and Britney will have to answer.

Query: Do you think Britney will do better or worse than this deposition witness?

[digg=http://digg.com/celebrity/Britney_Deposition_Watch_2008]

Technorati Tags: Britney Spears, custody, deposition, kevin federline, law, lawsuit, pop culture, popsquire