Rob Lowe and Wife Sue Former Nanny

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Rob Lowe and his wife are suing their former nanny, claiming she told secrets and lies about their family.

The complaint filed Monday in a Los Angeles Superior Court asks for at least $1,000,000 in damages and charges Laura Boyce with violating a confidentiality agreement, defamation and infliction of emotional distress on the former "West Wing" star; his wife, Sheryl; and their two sons.

Boyce was hired to take care of their sons for most of 2007 before she quit in November, according to the complaint.

The court papers make no specific reference to what information Boyce passed along, or to whom, only that Boyce had "betrayed their trust and engaged in a scheme to hurt the Lowes by spreading malicious lies" both during and after she served as a nanny.

It wasn't clear whether Boyce had hired an attorney. A message left at a phone number listed in her name wasn't immediately returned.

Lowe, 44, is appearing on ABC's "Brothers and Sisters." His screen credits include "Wayne's World," "St. Elmo's Fire" and "The Outsiders."