A television producer pleaded guilty today to trying to extort $2 million from US talk show host David Letterman by threatening to reveals his affairs with women who worked on his late-night programme on CBS.
Robert Joel Halderman, a producer for the CBS news show 48 Hours Mystery, reached an agreement with prosecutors in which he pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in exchange for serving six months in jail, performing 1,000 hours of community service and giving up his right to appeal.
The case engulfed Mr Letterman in a scandal when it became public in October, forcing the married comedian to admit to the affairs on the air. But it faded into the background weeks later when superstar golfer Tiger Woods' affairs were exposed.
Mr Letterman, in a written statement, thanked the prosecutors and police.
"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," Mr Letterman said.
Halderman, appearing in front of New York State Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon in a navy suit and pink tie, faced up to 15 years in prison had he gone to trial and been convicted. The formal sentencing will be in May.
"In September of 2009, I attempted to extort $2 million from David Letterman by threatening to disclose personal and private information about him, whether true or false," Halderman told the judge.
Halderman was indicted by a grand jury in October and previously pleaded not guilty to attempted grand larceny.
"This is a serious sentence that properly reflects the crimes that Mr. Halderman has now admitted he committed and it is a fitting end to the case," Daniel Horwitz, an attorney for Mr Letterman, told reporters.
Reuters