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

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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.

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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.

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-- Scott Collins

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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)

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