Names Surface of Women Linked to Letterman

(CBS)  David Letterman's bombshell revelation during his show Thursday night that he'd had affairs with staffers resulted in a 38 percent ratings leap for the broadcast from the same night the week before.

Letterman disclosed the office relationships in telling viewers of what authorities say is a plot devised by longtime CBS News producer Robert Halderman (known as Joe), 51, to extort $2 million from the late-night star.

Halderman , posted $200,000 bond and was released. The veteran producer of real-life crime program "48 Hours Mystery" has been suspended by CBS News.

His lawyer, Gerald Shargel, urged the public not to rush to judgment on Halderman, during an "Early Show" interview Monday.

Watch Letterman's Remarks
Photos: David Letterman

Now, the identities of two women said to have had affairs with the late night star have come to light.

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The New York Times reports that, "A central figure in the case -- one of the women who did have a sexual relationship with Mr. Letterman, according to representatives of the show -- is Mr. Letterman's longtime personal assistant, Stephanie Birkitt, 34, who also often appeared on the air. The sexual relationships had ended before Mr. Letterman was married in March, a Worldwide Pants (Letterman's company) executive said."

The Times adds that Halderman lived with Birkitt in Connecticut until last month.

Letterman, 62, is married to his longtime girlfriend, Regina Lasko. They have a six-year-old son.

A second supposed alleged romance was with Holly Hester, a "Late Show" intern in the 1990's.

She told celebrity Web site TMZ.com, "I was madly in love with him at the time and would have married him. He was hilarious."

TMZ adds, "Hester says Dave ended it after a year -- she says he told her the age span was just too great."

Sunday's New York Post reported that Letterman's office in the Ed Sullivan Theater, off -imits except to a select few, had a bedroom with a pull-out couch. Sources confirm the couch in his office, but deny there is a private bedroom.

Meanwhile, many of Halderman's co-workers are expressing shock over the accusations against him.

Former CBS News Medical Correspondent Dr. Bob Arnot says, "Joe has been one of my best friends. He's been one of the most upright, honest, straight-forward, honorable human beings that I've ever known."

[flotro55]

Sara Palin called - she wants to know if you had sex with Alex Rodriguez too.

[goatherd2]

Many years ago David was funny ,in a goofy sort of way.Sex with Alfred E, Neuman ? There must be more going for him, maybe it's anatomy , the part he sits on: his wallet. This story is only in it's infancy. Die-hard fans are trying to focus only on Mr. Halderman who may be guilty. Is there any level of behavior or hypocricy that these die-hard fans will noy accept? We all need to question some of the things we find our selves laughing at. His personal life has been a train wreck and he doesnt seem to learn.How long can this marriage survive? Maybe one of his Hollywood gurus can help, they are so good at relationships.Dave does not represent mainstraem America, he left the tracks a while ago.

[reeftanker2001]

She had sex with Dave so she got to be on TV and got extra money. Did the woman who did not have sex with Dave get to go on TV and get extra income.
CBS yelled sexual harrassment when Clarence Thomas made a joke about pubic hair, but has no probelm with woman "sleeping" there way into a job. What about the people who deserved the job based on merit?
Now I understand the whole Katie Couric thing.

[MalloryDavis]

Letterman is an entertainer. So he entertained...a couple of women. He probably has TnA shoved at him all of the time. Hell, I'm not a guy and I would succumb. Leave him alone! A lot of you guys would do the same thing yet you disparage him like he should be god-like. He isn't, believe it or not...he is a sexual being as we all are.

[aubfmet]

From the timeline I read he wasn't married, but he was living with the mother of his child and raising that child with her. Not married - what does that mean. Letterman has dragged every every adulterous politician thru the coals. He needs to be voted out of office. Let his wife divorce him and take his money.

[InMyHumbleOpinion]

People have been starved for some good gossip, ever since those skinny girls started wearing panties again.

[picklepants7]

i'm sure there will also be some men to surface on this list. that's what letterman is most scared of. letterman and olberman are cut from the same cloth, no class.

[queenpawn]

I'd like to see David Letterman do a "segment",on his show as he does on Bernie MaDoff,stating..."Day 1 of the rest of my life,or 2 or 3 and so on,NO SEX with any FEMALES anywhere,except my wife".

[EVML]

Regardless of whether Letterman's sexual dalliances legally constitute sexual harassment, what does all of this say about the culture at CBS? Surely most employees involved in this show (including the producers and CBS executives) knew that he was cutting a swathe through the female staff. What kind of a workplace environment does that create? Where was the backbone of the female staffers who indulged him? Where were the ethics of executives who allowed Letterman to indulge himself as he wished? Is CBS merely a candy store in which the stars of the show can help themselves to female treats? Nice ethical policy, CBS! A clear case of profit before all else. The indication of how untouchable Letterman believes himself to be, is that he could come on air (nationwide!) and 'confess', believing that by doing so he is off the hook. The indication of how shallow our culture has become, is that the audience sat there and accepted it. Maybe Letterman and CBS can go to a different kind of store and buy some morals.....

[InMyHumbleOpinion]

You Betcha!!

[Turbidite]

Caught with his hand in the nookie jar.