Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
10-01-09, 09:15 PM
#1
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Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Letterman reveals extortion attempt
In an uncharacteristically personal revelation for David Letterman, the host took to his "Late Show" stage Thursday to admit that he was the victim of an extortion attempt -- and acknowledge that he has had sexual relations with more than one staff member.
According to a press release sent by Letterman's PR reps, the host first received a package three weeks ago from someone who claimed to have information about alleged sexual relations he has had with female employees of the "Late Show."
The individual threatened to go public with the allegations unless Letterman paid him $2 million.
Letterman told his audience on Thursday that he contacted the Manhattan District Attorney's Special Prosecution Bureau. That led to a sting operation, in which Letterman met with the individual and handed the person a fake $2 million check. That person was arrested on Thursday.
"This morning, I did something I've never done in my life," Letterman said on Thursday's edition of CBS' "Late Show." "I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury."
As part of the testimony, Letterman admitted that he had engaged in sexual relationships with staff members.
"My response to that is, yes I have. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would," Letterman said. "I feel like I need to protect these people -- I need to certainly protect my family."
A Letterman spokesman would say only that Letterman would have more to say on Thursday night's program.
In a statement, CBS said, "Mr. Letterman's comments on the broadcast tonight speak for themselves."
This is not the first time Letterman has been the victim of an extortion attempt. Police revealed a plot in 2005 to kidnap Letterman's baby son, Harry, for a $5 million ransom. House painter Kelly Frank was later charged with the crime.
Letterman has been married to Regina Lasko, the mother of his child, since March. The two have dated since 1986.
Revelation came on what should have been a day of celebration for Letterman, as ratings from week one of the new TV season gave the host his first outright latenight victory in four years.
Letterman's revelation may also have an impact on the latenight ratings race as interest in the extortion case perhaps fuels tune-in. It's been an eventful week in the latenight sphere, as "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien was rushed to the hospital last Friday after hitting his head onstage.
In an uncharacteristically personal revelation for David Letterman, the host took to his "Late Show" stage Thursday to admit that he was the victim of an extortion attempt -- and acknowledge that he has had sexual relations with more than one staff member.
According to a press release sent by Letterman's PR reps, the host first received a package three weeks ago from someone who claimed to have information about alleged sexual relations he has had with female employees of the "Late Show."
The individual threatened to go public with the allegations unless Letterman paid him $2 million.
Letterman told his audience on Thursday that he contacted the Manhattan District Attorney's Special Prosecution Bureau. That led to a sting operation, in which Letterman met with the individual and handed the person a fake $2 million check. That person was arrested on Thursday.
"This morning, I did something I've never done in my life," Letterman said on Thursday's edition of CBS' "Late Show." "I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury."
As part of the testimony, Letterman admitted that he had engaged in sexual relationships with staff members.
"My response to that is, yes I have. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would," Letterman said. "I feel like I need to protect these people -- I need to certainly protect my family."
A Letterman spokesman would say only that Letterman would have more to say on Thursday night's program.
In a statement, CBS said, "Mr. Letterman's comments on the broadcast tonight speak for themselves."
This is not the first time Letterman has been the victim of an extortion attempt. Police revealed a plot in 2005 to kidnap Letterman's baby son, Harry, for a $5 million ransom. House painter Kelly Frank was later charged with the crime.
Letterman has been married to Regina Lasko, the mother of his child, since March. The two have dated since 1986.
Revelation came on what should have been a day of celebration for Letterman, as ratings from week one of the new TV season gave the host his first outright latenight victory in four years.
Letterman's revelation may also have an impact on the latenight ratings race as interest in the extortion case perhaps fuels tune-in. It's been an eventful week in the latenight sphere, as "Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien was rushed to the hospital last Friday after hitting his head onstage.
10-01-09, 10:10 PM
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Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Don't know if I'd ban him, but I am saddened and disappointed by this news. I always thought Dave was better than that.
10-01-09, 10:14 PM
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Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Wow. I am shocked. I'm serious. Wow...Dave Letterman????
Now I wonder if he was fucking that chick who would bring the prizes out. What was her name?
Now I wonder if he was fucking that chick who would bring the prizes out. What was her name?
10-01-09, 10:17 PM
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10-01-09, 10:22 PM
#7
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Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
I'm really disappointed about this also.
Just to put it out there...
That's really sticking it to the idiot trying to extort money from him though. Hey Dave, give me a bunch of money or I'll tell. Hmmm, I guess I'll just tell everyone, not pay you a dime, and have your ass arrested. It doesn't make him any better in all of this since he only came out after being threatened though, I'm certainly not saying that.
In a situation like this, there are no winners, only losers...especially his family.
Then again I guess the network wins for the ratings bump this is likely to deliver.
Just to put it out there...
That's really sticking it to the idiot trying to extort money from him though. Hey Dave, give me a bunch of money or I'll tell. Hmmm, I guess I'll just tell everyone, not pay you a dime, and have your ass arrested. It doesn't make him any better in all of this since he only came out after being threatened though, I'm certainly not saying that.
In a situation like this, there are no winners, only losers...especially his family.
Then again I guess the network wins for the ratings bump this is likely to deliver.
10-01-09, 10:26 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
The loser is Letterman for not thinking of his family enough to not engage in such activity that would bring shame and embarrassment to his family.
10-01-09, 10:32 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
From TMZ:
UPDATE: 10:30 PM ET: TMZ has learned the identity of the alleged extortionist who was arrested today. His name is Robert Halderman. He's 51 years old and lives in Norwalk, CT. Halderman has a business in Manhattan, where he was arrested today.
David Letterman says someone has demanded $2 million from him in return for not blowing the lid on Letterman's sexual liaisons in his office.
Letterman said on his show tonight he received a package 3 weeks ago from someone claiming to have info about sexual escapades between Letterman and some female employees on his staff.
According to Nikki Finke the individual said Letterman would have to pay $2 million to keep the info secret.
Letterman went on to say he contacted the Special Prosecution Bureau of the Manhattan D.A.'s office. He said the D.A. investigated and cut a phony $2 million check to the alleged extortionist who was arrested today.
Letterman says he testified today before the grand jury. In his testimony, he says he acknowledged sexual relationships with members of his staff.
Letterman married his girlfriend of 23 years last March.
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0SkIuf7Js
David Letterman says someone has demanded $2 million from him in return for not blowing the lid on Letterman's sexual liaisons in his office.
Letterman said on his show tonight he received a package 3 weeks ago from someone claiming to have info about sexual escapades between Letterman and some female employees on his staff.
According to Nikki Finke the individual said Letterman would have to pay $2 million to keep the info secret.
Letterman went on to say he contacted the Special Prosecution Bureau of the Manhattan D.A.'s office. He said the D.A. investigated and cut a phony $2 million check to the alleged extortionist who was arrested today.
Letterman says he testified today before the grand jury. In his testimony, he says he acknowledged sexual relationships with members of his staff.
Letterman married his girlfriend of 23 years last March.
Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0SkIuf7Js
10-01-09, 10:48 PM
#12
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
It's a little weird knowing what we know, and knowing what he's about to talk about, listening to him cracking sex scandal jokes and bashing other people right now.
10-01-09, 10:55 PM
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10-01-09, 10:55 PM
#14
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10-01-09, 10:57 PM
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Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
I don't get it, Letterman doesn't need to answer to anyone. How do we know that he didn't tell the ONLY person that deserved to know, his wife, BEFORE he was asked for the money?
Why would David Letterman or Jay Leno or Conan or Regis need to go on air and admit to sleeping with someone on their staff?
I think Dave has 2 million in his wallet, so if he wanted to hide this from the public, he could have paid the money and it would be like most of us losing a quarter.
So he was willing to face the "shame" of having this go public to protect the OTHER people involved who, as far as we know, had consensual sex with the boss.
No one is accusing him of doing this while married, no one is accusing him of doing it in exchange for a better job or more money, and he's not been accused of forcing or even trying to influence the women into doing something they didn't want to do.
Would it be great if all people remained faithful? Yes. But this happens all the time and I don't really feel like I should be judging someone who doesn't use his platform to tell me how I should live my life.
I'm sure he's made worse mistakes in his life than cheating on his significant other (or possibly his wife, if any of this happened after the marriage) and I'll leave it to his family to pass any judgment on him.
Why would David Letterman or Jay Leno or Conan or Regis need to go on air and admit to sleeping with someone on their staff?
I think Dave has 2 million in his wallet, so if he wanted to hide this from the public, he could have paid the money and it would be like most of us losing a quarter.
So he was willing to face the "shame" of having this go public to protect the OTHER people involved who, as far as we know, had consensual sex with the boss.
No one is accusing him of doing this while married, no one is accusing him of doing it in exchange for a better job or more money, and he's not been accused of forcing or even trying to influence the women into doing something they didn't want to do.
Would it be great if all people remained faithful? Yes. But this happens all the time and I don't really feel like I should be judging someone who doesn't use his platform to tell me how I should live my life.
I'm sure he's made worse mistakes in his life than cheating on his significant other (or possibly his wife, if any of this happened after the marriage) and I'll leave it to his family to pass any judgment on him.
10-01-09, 10:57 PM
#16
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Wonder how many Top Ten lists he's going to do mocking his failures as a father and husband.
10-01-09, 10:57 PM
#17
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Is this really the best way to go about announcing this information?
I mean, really?
That's gotta be a Weekend Update "Really!?" segment here.
I mean, really?
That's gotta be a Weekend Update "Really!?" segment here.
10-01-09, 11:02 PM
#18
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
How is having sex with someone at work a SCANDAL? Because he's on tv? It would have been a scandal if Letterman had been outed by the press or someone in the public trying to pay someone off.
10-01-09, 11:03 PM
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10-01-09, 11:05 PM
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Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
Sarah Palin tried to warn us but only wm lopez would listen. 
10-01-09, 11:27 PM
#21
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
I'm getting more and more confused as to what warrants applause in this day and age.
10-01-09, 11:40 PM
#22
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Letterman Faces Another Extortion Attempt, had Sex with Staffers
I don't understand why people are upset or talking about banning him. If that's what constitutes banning someone, you may as well not watch any television show. And while you're at it, stop seeing films until you've done research on everyone involved....oh, and definitely stop listening to music.
10-02-09, 12:36 AM
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10-02-09, 12:51 AM
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