Details Out on Supposed Ex-Letterman Lover

(CBS)  After five days of mea culpas and details about the alleged extortion plot against him, David Letterman again poked fun at his predicament Tuesday night, saying on his show, "I was thinking we should get an understudy for me, because there's a wide variety of reasons I might not be able to continue."

One of the women alleged to have been involved with Letterman, reports CBS News Correspondent Bianca Solorzano, is his former assistant, Stephanie Birkitt.

Birkitt, 34, and CBS News producer Joe Halderman, who's accused of trying to extort $2 million from the late-night host, lived together from early 2005 until August of this year at his Norwalk, Connecticut home. Sources close to Halderman, 51, claim the intimate relationship between Letterman and Birkitt began in December 2007.

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CBS News has learned that, in December 2008, Halderman found diary-like descriptions written by Birkitt, detailing her relationship with Letterman, 62. Sources close to Halderman say that, when Halderman questioned her, Birkitt said she was no longer involved with Letterman.

In March of this year, Letterman married longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko. Halderman apparently didn't believe Birkitt's denial and thought the relationship was ongoing.

By August, Birkitt and Halderman had separated and she moved out. In September, Halderman began his alleged shakedown of Letterman.

Letterman then reported the blackmail plot to the New York district attorney's office. Law enforcement sources tell CBS News that, at the last two meetings with Letterman's lawyer in September, Halderman was recorded, on both audio and videotape, demanding $2 million. A day later, on Oct. 1, Halderman deposited a bogus check for $2 million dollars and was arrested.

Despite the potential effect on his personal life, the revelation of the extortion plot has been a boon for Letterman's ratings, Solorzano observed. They're up by double-digits since Thursday night.

[dirtyliberal]

http://www.dirtyliberal.com

[mi3suns]

Remember this Dave: "THOU SHALT NOT STICK THY ROD IN THY STAFF!" & "DON'T STICK YOUR PEN IN THE COMPANY INK!"

[wheresmycountry]

Halderman comes off looking like a tool. Dave fessed up immediately and looks like a stud. Dave needs to reveal his top 10 interns.

[aubfmet]

CBS keeps the evening advertising for Letterman, I guess it's all about the money. Character and integrity, whats that. Not on my TV.

[susie1949]

there have been no sexual harrassment suits filed No MO. This was consensual sex. She is no longer working there and he is with his wife. Like I said, I do feel sorry for his wife but she knew of his past. As I have told my boys, cheaters are liars...they have to lie to cheat so you get what you believe in. I am through my breakup with this ex high school boyfriend/husband and I am so proud I gave it all up just to get away from his lies. But Also DON'T FORGET THE WOMEN GO FOR THEM TOO. My son, who is married, said when he goes out on trips, he has had women knock on his hotel room and boy it is tough to say no..but he says no and I believe him. He knows the pain I went through and would not do that to his wife. CHEATERS DO LIE!!!

[leeanna59]

We men are so weak and stupid.
by rocketjl

Men don't have a monopoly on weakness and stupidity. Some women will crawl in bed with any man as long as he has money and power.

[susie1949]

I said this Halderman guy looks spooky in his eyes. I felt if he found her out that he would do a crime out of rage. I would run as far as I could from him.

Also...WOMEN GO AFTER THESE HIGH PROFILE GUYS seeking the conquest and sometimes gets the prize.

My husband is successful, money and all and the women were always after him and he always gave them what they wanted. So don't just blame Letterman...women go after them. By the time his last woman came along, his secretary, i was done for I saw that they were more than employer/employees. She just so happen to be around when I called it quits after 13 years...I gave it all up just to get out of the marriage. She came from no where and now is getting the trips to Paris,, Hawaii ....but he has called me and wants me to meet him on his business trips. So ......women are just as bad as men..

Also I am concerned about this defense atty..I hear he got a guy off with the maffia. I remember OJ Simpson getting off and we know he killed his wife. Now he finally is in jail. So the defense attornies can get a guilty person off of a charge. I really think this is no one's business. Halderman was mad because his g/f had an affair with Burkitt and on top of it all..Letterman is older than him. This is revenge. I feel sorry for Dave's wife and son. But then again, she could be another woman like my ex's wife..she knew his past....

[boochaka]

Why does it make any difference who he was with? He wasn't married, and what's so important about this girls "details" .. for God's sake leave these people alone, why do you really give a rats behind?

[NyStateisPoor]

Because he is the late night moral compass and now he is caught with his pants down, rotten hypocrite. So its ok to cheat on a significant other if you are not married?

[patty101558]

well well oh dave think you have it all your wife should do a complete makeover get sexy undies and have an affair and let you see how it feels....she is not very attactive in all the pictures I have seen go girl and get your self made up for a new man...new hairdo, highlights, new clothes and show the world you are sexy and pretty and DAVE maybe you will see what you had

[NyStateisPoor]

So to all women on this site, it is now ok for your men to cheat on you left and right as long as you are not married. You have no right to break up with him, take his kids away, or othewise. Like Dave's horse (wife), you need to sit down and take it like a *****.

[planettruth]

I am a Dave lover, too. Dave Keep the Sarah Palin jokes coming. I love the Rush Limbaugh silent bit.