TV PRODUCER PLEADS GUILTY TO BLACKMAILING DAVID LETTERMAN

Wednesday, March 10 2010 07:41

Television producer Robert Joel Halderman pleaded guilty on Tuesday (March 9th) to trying to extort $2 million from David Letterman by threatening to reveal the late night host's sexual relationships with employees.

Halderman, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in exchange for serving six months in jail, performing 1,000 hours of community service and giving up his right to appeal. He faced up to 15 years in prison had he gone to trial and been convicted. The formal sentencing will be in May.

Letterman thanked the prosecutors and police in a written statement which read, "When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts."

Daniel Horwitz, an attorney for Letterman, told reporters, "This is a serious sentence that properly reflects the crimes that Mr. Halderman has now admitted he committed and it is a fitting end to the case."

After Letterman received a packet of incriminating emails and photos in his limo with a note demanding $2 million to keep them under wraps last September, he called police and subsequently admitted his affairs on TV. Halderman had been involved with Letterman's former assistant Stephanie Birkitt, with whom Letterman later acknowledged an affair.