CBS Employee Robert Joe Halderman Charged with $2M David Letterman Extortion Plot

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(CBS)

Photo: Robert J. "Joe" Halderman.

NEW YORK (AP) A CBS News employee has been indicted in an extortion plot against David Letterman, who was forced to acknowledge sexual relationships with female staffers on his show after the man tried to blackmail him for $2 million, the Manhattan district attorney said Friday.

Robert J. "Joe" Halderman, a producer for the true-crime show "48 Hours," was arrested Thursday and indicted on one count of attempted first-degree grand larceny, punishable from five to 15 years upon conviction, District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said.

"Our concern here is extortion, and that's what we're focusing on," Morgenthau said.

The district attorney's office said Halderman left a letter and other material for Letterman early Sept. 9. He wrote that he needed "to make a large chunk of money" by selling Letterman a screenplay treatment.

The letter told Letterman that his world was "about to collapse around him" when information about his private life is disclosed.

He said it would lead to "a ruined reputation" and severe damage to his professional and family life.

Letterman immediately contacted his lawyer, who arranged a meeting with Halderman. At the meeting, Halderman demanded $2 million for not releasing the material, the district attorney's office said.

After the meeting, Letterman and his lawyer contacted the DA's office and the investigation began.

6 Comments +

Add a Comment


by Dix21 October 4, 2009 1:27 AM EDT: Actually the ones I'm most concerned about in this revelation of creepy stuff (Dave's own words) are the new wife Regina and the 5-year-old son Harry that Dave is so proud of.; Reply to this comment


by Dix21 October 4, 2009 1:20 AM EDT: I'm a big Letterman fan and this probably won't change my viewing. However, the stream of jokes based on other public figures' loose morals seem inappropriate at best...and now knowing there have been sexual affairs with employees while he was in a relationship, it really reaks of hypochrisy for Letterman to continue using this kind of so-called humor. But let's hope this blows over quickly and Letterman can keep being his best and just watch the pot shots.

And if Bill Clinton didn't lose his job after his private affair became public, Dave Letterman shouldn't either.; Reply to this comment


by Jimmijim October 3, 2009 1:36 PM EDT: The sad thing is Letterman's rating will go up; which will make CBS happy...the almighty dollar strikes again. I wonder if his female "staffers" got a bonus for doing a good job?

I'm waiting for the book and pictures. You know that stuff will become public eventually.....or we'll never know how much Dave paid.; Reply to this comment


by kathleenGA October 3, 2009 2:08 AM EDT: Whew!, It seems CBS News has a lot of problems. Do they not pay their producers enough? There seems to be a lot more to this story that we don't know yet because Mr. Halderman was living with David's current female employee, Stephanie. Was she involoved? Is she one of the female staffers he had an affair with? Did she provide this man with the details? David seems to have a weakness for much younger females who work for him. I remember the skits he used to do with Stephanie.
How did this man get into David's car without an alarm going off? Was it left unlocked? Did Mr. Halderman learn of David's habits from Stephanie?
David sure does seem to have strange things happen to him more than others. A man plotted to kidnap his son for ransom, a crazy lady stalked him, and now an employee of the network where he works apparently tried to extort him. Leno and Obrien seem to have much calmer lives. :); Reply to this comment


by mlbfenway October 2, 2009 6:14 PM EDT: David letterman decided not to dance around this as many in his shoes always do with their adamant denials. He confronted it and elected not to do business with an extortionist. Utter honesty, refreshing...how will the spin doctors twist this? Letterman deflated the story by his admission.; Reply to this comment


by mlbfenway October 2, 2009 6:13 PM EDT: David letterman decided not to dance around this as many in his shoes always do with their adamant denials. He confronted it and elected not to do business with an extortionist. Utter honesty, refreshing...how will the spin doctors twist this? Letterman deflated the story by his admission.; Reply to this comment