Letterman blackmailer pleads guilty

Former CBS News producer Robert Halderman appeared in court Tuesday and pleaded guilty to trying to extort money from “Late Night” host David Letterman. Halderman’s plea deal will have him serve six months in jail and 1,000 hours of community service.

“I would like to thank the District Attorney of Manhattan, Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., the former District Attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the D.A.’s Office, and the New York City Police Department. When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts,” said a statement issued by Letterman after the guilty plea was made.

Halderman had been arrested after he tried to get Letterman to pay him $2 million to keep quiet about the TV host’s sexual liaisons with female staff members. Letterman then went public with an admission to the affairs and apologized to his wife on his CBS show.