David Letterman says he was victim of $2-million extortion attempt in sex case

Talk host David Letterman said Thursday that he was the victim of a $2-million extortion attempt related to his sexual relationships with staffers on CBS' "The Late Show."

During a taping for tonight's broadcast, Letterman told viewers that three weeks ago he was approached by a person who claimed to have information about the host's affairs with female staff members. This person, Letterman said, threatened to expose the relationships unless payment of $2 million was received. The CBS star approached the Manhattan district attorney's office, which began an investigation that culminated in today's arrest of the person, whom Letterman did not identify.

According to the website TMZ, the alleged extortionist is New York businessman Robert Halderman, 51.

Letterman, 62, said that during his grand-jury testimony he admitted to the sexual relationships.

"My response to that is, yes I have," he told his studio audience. "Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps." However, he added: "I need to certainly protect my family."

CBS issued a terse statement that said in its entirety: "Mr. Letterman's comments on the broadcast tonight speak for themselves."

A spokesman for Letterman declined to elaborate on Letterman's remarks. A spokesperson for the district attorney's office declined to comment on the case.

Earlier this year, Letterman married Regina Lasko, his companion since 1986. The couple have a young son, Harry, whom Letterman frequently mentions on the program.

-- Scott Collins

Alleged Letterman extortionist said he needed to 'make a large chunk of money'

Letterman's blackmail scandal boosts ratings 22% 

David Letterman on extortion attempt: 'I felt menaced by this'

This image rendered form video shows David Letterman as he tells his story during a taping of his late-night show Thursday Oct. 1, 2009 that he had sexual relationships with female employees and that someone tried to extort $2 million from him over the affairs, and CBS says an employee has been charged with attempted grand larceny in the case. (AP Photo/CBS)

Comments

[m Richards]

Letterman is such a CREEP and HYPOCRIT. He should resign. CBS ADVERTISERS WATCH OUT – we’re ready to boycott Late Show advertisers that support this bum. What a disgrace. He’s more upset about having to “do something I’ve never done, gone down to a grand jury.” What a self-absorbed IDIOT, what about your wife and coveted son Harry – you bum, please resign or we’re going to ask all sponsors to stop supporting your show, or we’ll stop supporting and buying their products. Adios Cheater.

[Leno Chino]

Good for him for standing up against extortion, but it's much easier if you don't put yourself in situations where you can be blackmailed. Don't dip your pen in the company inkwell, Dave.

[how we doin on time morty?]

PERHAPS?????? Where's the apology to his wife and son? This is such a shame. Letterman has now joined the ranks of male pigs who can't keep their cockadoodledoo in their pants. He just lost a viewer and a longtime fan.

[Mark]

The top ten reasons that David Letterman had adulterous affairs:

10.) Nervous energy after watching Sarah Palin's beauty contest tapes.
9.) Angst over losing the Tonight Show to Jay Leno many years back.
8.) The Governor of New York could do it, why not Letterman?
7.) To have someone to protect him in the event a stalker confronts him.
6.) Someone told him he didn't have to run for Congress prior to having an affair.
5.) Gosh darn, it feels good.
4.) So easy to confuse "employee benefits" with "friends with benefits".
3.) Everyone makes fun of my hair and teeth.
2.) No one will notice, after all, he's only on CBS.
1.) Whatever it takes to keep the younger viewers from turning to Conan!

[WRD]

Say it isn't so, Dave!

[monique]

And this pervert had the nerve to talk about Sarah Palin and her daughters. He is a joke. I think the Palin's are laughing at this clown now.

[Lily]

I kind of feel for Dave- he had to deal with Margaret Ray for all of those years, then someone tried to kidnap his son, and now this extortion attempt. That's a lot of crazy people for one person to deal with!

[Classy]

He needs to protect his family???

He has humiliated his family, ruined his reputation, damaged CBS, jeopardized the show which was (inexplicably) starting to revive. Sounds like possible sexual harassment. He is the boss. How young were the women. Is this gonna be the same old same old story. This is really disgusting and disappointing.

Why bother having a kid or getting married. Leno, who seems like the scumbag not Dave, must be laughing (unless he'd doing the same.)

Man, when guys hit middle age they get really skeevy and creepy.

[Robert]

Dirty old man! Just like Bob Barker, assuming it was a female

[harry]

I knew Letterman is disgusting freak. Just remember all those women that he parades on his show. He treats them as if they were a piece of meat. What a stupid, disgusting freak!

[dee]

Hmm, that was a smart move, people like dave and will certainly forgive his indiscretions, it's between he and his wife, I'm sure all involved were adults, no big deal really, not worth 2 milllion to suppress either.

[Bob Poole]

Blackmail is wrong. But, I am still very very disappointed in Mr. Letterman. Sexual harassment of his employees is wrong too. I can see why Letterman will never be the host of The Tonight Show; he has too much dirty baggage.

[JusticeWONK]

Letterman is just another rich, self-indulgent, Narcissistic entertainer who thinks the rules don't apply to him -- just like Polanski, Allen, Goldberg, Winger and other Hollywood celebs. I'm glad the guy(s) Dave had sex with tried to blackmail him and all this came out. I hope the extortionist gets off and Dave gets fired. It's about time we got somebody on late night TV who represents the views and values of us average Americans.

[SCOF]

SO WHAT?

[Carlos]

He never said he was intimate w/ his female coworkers while he's been married OR even while he's known his wife. So, why are people assuming he has??

Yes, it was dumb to hook up w/ coworkers. But, until we know the EXACT timeline of these events, we need to stop jumping to conclusions.

[Floyd]

To "how we doin on time, morty?". You ask where is the apology to his wife and son. Why do you feel entitled to be privy to such a personal apology? You sound as if you're demanding a very public apology which should be private.

[brinjak]

I don't believe it. I think it's just another sad attempt by Letterman to promote himself a sexed up stud-muffin. A cynical attempt to raise his profile. He should be ashamed. No one will believe this silly story.

[brinjak]

I'm guessing the negative comments are all from ex-guests on his show or perhaps disgruntled employees he didn't shag.

[Miles]

I have all the sympathy for Mr. Letterman's family and absolutely none for him. After all his jokes and nasty comments about unfaithful politicians, not to mention his abominable treatment of the Palin family, it turns out Mr. Smarmy has been enjoying the favors of women other than his long-time girlfriend/wife. What a hypocrite!! The Palins and all of Mr. Letterman's other victims will have the last laugh, and he will become very familiar with the pain of public humiliation and disgrace. Couldn't happen to a nicer piece of scum.

[cally]

People who live in glass houses... Sarah Palin must be laughing her a-ss off at the hypocracy of this guy. He gave her so much grieff about her daughter. But at least he didn't have his wife by his side during his mea culpa. BTW, I think he and Regina (his wife) have had an on again-off again relationship for years. I believe she use to be producer of his show as well. So he has long history of diddling the help. I do wonder if there is sexual harassment when it is consenual relationship. Look at the talking heads on CNBC squak box who married their producers. What's the big deal? It's only when the boss pressures the underling into sex--- lots of times the underlings are coming on to the "star". I would actually feel sorry for Letterman except that he has given so many others grief over their indiscretions.