Letterman Extortionist To Plead Guilty
An Emmy-winning CBS News producer will plead guilty Tuesday to shaking down David Letterman for $2 million as payback for the host’s torrid affair with his live-in girlfriend, sources said.
In exchange for the plea, Robert Halderman will receive a six-month jail sentence, the sources said. He will also serve 4 1/2 years probation and do 1,000 hours of community service.
He was due before Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon on Tuesday afternoon.
The plea came five months after Halderman, 51, threatened to expose Letterman’s affairs with a number of female staffers on his “Late Show” – including the blackmailer’s ex-girlfriend.
Letterman had no immediate comment on the latest development in a bizarre case that exposed his fondness for young staffers.
Halderman would have faced up to 15 years behind bars if he had been convicted of a bizarre blackmail scheme involving the long-time “Late Night” host.
Letterman was having an affair with Halderman’s former girlfriend, “Late Night” staffer Stephanie Birkitt.
The pair broke up shortly before Halderman’s blackmail bid. Birkitt, 34, went from one of Letterman’s on-air foils to his off-screen paramour.
Halderman, who will plead to attempted grand larceny charges, has directed dozens of “48 Hours” documentaries, covering everything the Winter Olympics to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Halderman was arrested after Letterman – in a stunning admission that opened his show – admitted the affairs and detailed the blackmail attempt.
Halderman actually collected a $2 million check from Letterman as part of a sting operation started after the late-night funnyman went to police about the shakedown.
The CBS newsman was arrested outside the network’s Manhattan offices after depositing the check in his Connecticut bank.
Halderman had demanded the payment from Letterman in return for spiking a “screenplay treatment” that detailed the married comedian’s dalliances with his employees.
Prosecutors say Halderman, in addition to his anger over Birkitt, was heavily in debt after a divorce from his wife, Patty Montet, left him with $6,000 a month in support payments.
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