Fears of Letterman's Accused Extortionist

(CBS)  Prosecutors have released transcripts of what they say are secretly-recorded tapes of conversations between lawyers for David Letterman and Robert "Joe" Halderman, the veteran CBS News producer accused of trying to shake down the comic for $2 million.

The transcripts have Halderman voicing fears Letterman would go to great extremes to get revenge.

Prosecutors contend Halderman threatened to go public with word of affairs Letterman had had with staffers of his show if the late-night host didn't give Halderman the money. Halderman insists he was just shopping around a screenplay about Letterman's life.

His attorneys told CBS News again on Tuesday that Halderman was trying to negotiate a business deal, on the on the right side of law.

Halderman is seeking the dismissal of the attempted grand larceny case against him.

On Oct. 1, Letterman made the shocking revelation on "Late Night with David Letterman" that he'd had sex with staffers, and that he was the target of the extortion plot.

Days earlier, say authorities, conversations took place at a New York City hotel between two Letterman lawyers and Halderman, who didn't know the attorneys were wired.

"I'm not sure how crazy this guy is, or um, how dangerous he might be," Halderman said of Letterman. " ... Should I be fired, mysteriously ... if my house burns down ... any number of things that... I have no idea who or what he is or is capable of."

Halderman also warned he was going to keep copies of everything he had on Letterman, for protection, saying, "The only way to be sure that I never talk to anybody is for somebody to kill me. Well, you know, I don't want that to happen."

More on David Letterman and Joe Halderman:

Letterman Jokes Tiger Woods Is Asking for Advice

Lawyer: Halderman Wouldn't Cop Plea

Letterman Extortion Suspect: Drop the Case

Prosecutors insist the tapes prove Halderman was up to no good. In a statement, Letterman's lawyers say, "Once again, the DA (district attorney) has effectively outlined the compelling evidence of this case -- evidence that points to criminal behavior."

Prosecutors say Halderman acted in part of out jealousy, after learning one of the woman Letterman had had sex with was Halderman's former live-in girlfriend.

And, papers filed by the prosecution say Halderman had another motive: His ex-wife had just moved with their son to California, and the $2 million would enable him to visit the boy.

[INDEPENDENTREPUBLICAN]

I love Letterman! The guy is a nutjob who broke the law and he should be punished!

[cameraphone]

$2 million to enable him to visit his son in California!!!!!!!!!

[erasmus111]

If he had succeeded in blackmailing him, then that would have been the time to be concerned. It's highly unlikely that David Letterman would take revenge after the whole world was informed about it. I don't think David Letterman is THAT stupid.

Nope, the time to have him knocked off would have been as soon as he received the blackmail letter. Then his wife wouldn't have found out, and he wouldn't have had to suffer the embarrassment of the whole world finding out that he was playing with his employees.

[bundye]

If you believe that lie of Halderman's, then you will believe anything. That man was for real!

[brianbwb-2009]

Letterman's lawyers should have quoted the line from "the Dark Night"

"Let me get this straight, you think that your client, one of the richest people in the world, is secretly a vigilante, who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands, and your idea is to blackmail this person? Good luck..."

[brianbwb-2009]

Letterman's lawyers should have quoted the line from "the Dark Night"

"Let me get this straight, you think that your client, one of the richest people in the world, is secretly a vigilante, who spends his nights beating criminals to a pulp with his bare hands, and your idea is to blackmail this person? Good luck..."

[erasmus111]

"I'm not sure how crazy this guy is, or um, how dangerous he might be," Halderman said of Letterman. " ... Should I be fired, mysteriously ... if my house burns down ... any number of things that... I have no idea who or what he is or is capable of."


What a joke. If he was that concerned, I'm thinking he would have decided against blackmailing him.

[voxpopulus]

Is this guy mental?

[2012EOD]

I for one love that this is happening to Letterman. Karma!

[bobnjersey]

["I'm not sure how crazy this guy is, or um, how dangerous he might be," Halderman said of Letterman. " ... Should I be fired, mysteriously ... if my house burns down ... any number of things that... I have no idea who or what he is or is capable of." ]

he's capable of telling jokes ... this is what he had to worry about ... jokes being told about him nightly.