Legal Newswire Blog

David Letterman Extorted for $2 Million

Robert “Joe” Halderman, a well known CBS producer for “48 Hours”, was arrested outside CBS headquarters in NYC for attempted grand larceny after trying to deposit a $2 million check (the amount he tried to extort from Letterman).

Until recently Halderman was living with Stephanie Birkitt, Letterman’s former assistant.

TMZ reports that Halderman had a relationship with Stephanie Birkitt and lived with her, but says they had broken up “recently.”

“We do not know who ended the relationship, but Halderman allegedly was in possession of Birkitt’s diary, correspondence and photos which he says incriminated Letterman.”

“People connected with the network tell us Letterman did have a relationship with Birkitt, but the word is that it ended before Letterman had his baby in 2003,” TMZ said.

According to TMZ Manhattan D.A. played the investigation close to the vest and people inside the building were baffled when the highly-respected producer was cuffed and hauled off in the David Letterman extortion case.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said three meetings were held between Halderman and Letterman’s lawyers at the Essex House. Letterman was not at any of the meetings. During the 3rd meeting, the check for $ 2 million was turned over to Halderman.

Morgenthau says Letterman’s lawyer wore a wire and the last two meetings were audio taped.

Halderman deposited the check which was designed to bounce the next morning and was then arrested.

One Response to “David Letterman Blackmailed CBS Producer Arrested for Extortion”