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David Letterman forced to air out dirty laundry on his Late Show program.
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CBS News producer Robert J. Halderman is accused of trying to extort $2 million from David Letterman, forcing the late-night host to admit in a monologue before millions of viewers that he had sexual relationships with female employees.
Halderman, who was arrested Thursday, has been charged with attempted grand larceny, according to Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. Bail has been set at $200,000. If he's convicted, he could face five to 15 years in prison.
Reports say that Halderman waited outside Letterman's New York City home on Sept. 9 "to deliver a letter and other materials as he was leaving for work." He allegedly wrote in the letter to Letterman that he "needed to make a large chunk of money" by selling a screenplay treatment about Letterman's actions. He also allegedly wrote that Letterman's "world is about to collapse around him." He also allegedly said the exposure would lead to "a ruined reputation" and severe damage to Letterman's professional and family life.
Three weeks ago, Letterman said, he got in his car early in the morning and found a package with a letter saying, "I know that you do some terrible, terrible things and that I can prove that you do some terrible things." He acknowledged the letter contained proof. He said it was terrifying "because there's something insidious about it. Is he standing down there? Is he hiding under the car? Am I going to get a tap on the shoulder?"
The Late Show host called his lawyer to set up a meeting with the man, who threatened to write a screenplay and a book about Letterman unless he was given money. There were two subsequent meetings, with the man given a phony $2 million check at the last one.
I was worried for myself, I was worried for my family. I felt menaced by this, and I had to tell them all of the creepy things that I had done. The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show. My response to that is yes, I have. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Yes, it would, especially for the women. It's been a very bizarre experience. I felt like I needed to protect these people. I need to protect my family. I need to protect myself. Hope to protect my job. -- David Letterman
It was not immediately clear when the relationships took place or how long they lasted.
