Robert J. Halderman (AP Photo/Pool, Marc A. Hermann)
According to Manhattan District Attorney Robert M. Morgenthau “48 Hours” producer Robert J. Halderman wrote to David Letterman saying that he needed to “make a large chunk of money.”
He attached to his letter to Letterman a one-page screenplay treatment describing how the “Late Show” host would have a “ruined reputation” after Halderman revealed the details of Letterman's sexual relationships with young female employees.
51 year old Halderman used a novel delivery method for the delivery of his “screenplay.” The television producer left the letter and other materials in the back seat of Letterman’s car outside his Manhattan home early the morning of Sept. 9.
In the screenplay proposal, Halderman referred to Letterman’s success and mentioned the talk host's “beautiful and loving son.” He added that Letterman’s “world is about to collapse around him” as details about his private life are exposed. He demanded that Letterman call him by 8 a.m. to strike a deal.
Letterman decided to phone his attorney. The lawyer met with Halderman on Sept. 15. It was then that the producer allegedly demanded $2 million so he would not disclose the information on sexual affairs Letterman had with female staff.
Under the watchful eye of district attorney Letterman’s lawyer met with Halderman two more times and secretly recorded his demands. The attorney gave the alleged blakcmailer a phony check for $2 million.
Halderman then tried to deposit the check in a Connecticut bank. He was was then arrested outside the CBS News offices and was indicted on one count of attempted grand larceny in the first degree, which could land him in jail from 5 to 15 years.
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