Letterman Discloses Extortion Threat, Admits Sexual Relationships W/Staffers

Earlier this evening, David Letterman told his talk show audience that he was the victim of a $2 million extortion attempt—and that he had sexual relationships with staffers. He said (the show airs at 11:35 p.m. on WCBS 2), "This morning, I did something I've never done in my life. I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury." [Update: Here's video]

According to the Daily News, "The 'Late Show' host received a package from an individual who claimed to have information on his dalliances and said he would be outed unless he came up with $2 million." Letterman went to the Manhattan's DA office, which "instructed Letterman to mail a phony $2 million check to the individual, which led to the extortionist's arrest on Thursday."

Letterman said of the affairs with staffers, "My response to that is, yes I have. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would. I feel like I need to protect these people -- I need to certainly protect my family."

The News spoke to Letterman's mom, Dorothy Mengering, who said, "I knew he was being blackmailed and that someone was arrested today. So far that's all I know. I'm looking forward to seeing the show tonight to see what he has to say." She added that she heard about the extortion attempt from Letterman's wife of 7 months, Regina Lasko (she and Letterman had "been together" since 1986 and have a 5-year-old son).

UPDATE: According to TMZ, the identity of the arrestee "is Robert Halderman. He's 51 years old and lives in Norwalk, CT.... He is an employee of '48 Hours' and has been suspended pending results of the investigation." Radar Online, which calls him a "former producer," says he lived with one of the women that Letterman was involved with. Plus: "Sources tell RadarOnline.com that Dave’s sexual relationships happened before the marriage, but during his relationship with Lasko. His relationship with the woman connected to the extortionist has apparently been over for a long time."

UPDATE 11:56 p.m.: Watching Letterman discuss the extortion on the show and it's pretty creepy (though Letterman sets it up with some humor): Apparently he found a package in his car at 6 a.m. from a man who says that he knows the horrible things that Letterman has done—and with apparently evidence of these horrible things.

Letterman launches in a description of how the guy wanted to write a screenplay using details of these things and wanted some money for it, how he contacted his lawyer who set up a meeting with the extortionist, and then how the Manhattan DA's office said it was blackmail and told Letterman to set up the sting. When Letterman mentions the $2 million amount, the audience gasps.

All along the audience is laughing throughout Letterman's description, but doesn't know why Letterman is being shaken down. He then says, "The creepy stuff is that I have had sex with women who work for me on the show"—silence—"...My response to that is, yes I have." Cue laughter! "Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would... especially for the women. But that's a decision for them to make if they want to come public with the relationships..." After thanking the Manhattan DA's office, Letterman said, "I feel like I need to protect these people -- I need to certainly protect my family... I hope to protect my job... I don't plan to say much more about this particular topic so thank you for letting me bend your ear."

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By Jen Chung in News on October 1, 2009 10:18 PM

Comments [rss]

Manitoba2

I actually can't believe anyone still watches Letterman. I think the last time I watch this pile of crap was 1989.

NannyState

1991 for me. He's just a tired old couch blocking the door for everyone else.

Matt Joyce

Man is everyone in this thread an expert on david letterman?

jaycjay

Everyone on this site is an expert on everything.

verbal

Dave is such a fucking hypocrite at times it's nauseating. I'm surprised he didn't sign the 'free roman' petition.

He was always funnier than Leno, his 1st post Sept 11th show is classic, and then he slowly but surely jumped the shark. I'm not so sure he's been playing dumb all these years.

Past Taliban

Speaking of Letterman, what's the update on the assbomb situation?

BarneyFrankfurter

At first I liked the Letterman show when I started to watch it. But after a while I really learned to hate this guy because I realized what a fake, manipulative schlock he is. Letterman is hypocrisy at its best and his sheer backstabbingness reaches far beyond those of his liberal counteracts.

I am especially annoyed by his fake smile, his fake laughter and his creepy behavior where he would be all friendly and charming in front of somebody and then pull his knife out and stab him in the back. You know these small, uncalled for jabs when his true agenda is clear all the time. Letterman is a very insincere person who most of the times is either too afraid to tell his real opinion or is hiding behind the bushes intentionally.

Also on the occasion when he speaks his mind he always tries to seem smarter then he really is. He likes to talk in a very slow and choppy manner to give his words more weight, saying only things that have been stated before and, expects applause afterwards for his cleverness and most of the times he gets it from his bootlicking audience.

Another point, his stupid audience who applauds EVERYTHING does not realize that they are as dumb as the people they are hollering against. To Letterman's credit I heard that he actually sees this the same way and heavily dislikes his audience for that. But of course he is too cowardish to call them out for it or do something else against it because they pay for his show and lifestyle. Mindless hollering is just a very American thing I guess.

And so is putting yourself down as a host it seems. Half of his humor consists of jokes about how small, weak, dumb, poor, powerless or whatever Letterman is. Again, a very popular, almost necessary quality in the American culture it seems. But this makes him even more fake. Letterman is a millionaire and every time he tries to equal himself with his audience he's a hypocrite. And these people are buying it.

Nowadays his show consists of making fun of Sarah Palin and her family and trying as hard as he can to push Barack Obama. And the audience? Claps and hollers. Yes, they are just the same idiots at the other end of the scale.

What first seemed like a smart and educated show and a smart and educated (and funny) host now turned out to be the same kind of trite and dishonest collection of media bullshit. Letterman is a phony who's living off his fake image of areal man of the people while he is just a calculating pompous Ahole, sitting in his comfortable little chair and pointing and giggling at the things around him.

For those of you who praise him___you deserve him!

Splicer

I'm sorry he was mean to Paris Hilton -- that must have been very upsetting for you. Next time, instead of writing about it here, why don't you print it out and leave it on the front seat of his car at 6am.

BarneyFrankfurter

So what's your point?

New Baby Hitler

I sense a LOT of displaced anger.... and way too much free time to write such a long manifesto on your hatred of Letterman. Go do the Time Warp.

BarneyFrankfurter

If you don't like it - don't read it!

jaycjay

tl;dr.

Past Taliban

Really. Next time you post something don't forget to slap two covers on it and hold a book signing!

Jeesh.

BarneyFrankfurter

And, that goes for you also!

Past Taliban

Speaking of extortion threats dear Jen; remember that night we did limoncello shots til 4 am and then I took those raunchy pictures of you?

Well if you donn't wanna see 'em splashed all over youtube you better cough-up $3.5 million in small, unmarked bills. Pronto.

mellow_fellow

It appears you have confused Jen with your mom.

Steven

With that and the comment he made about Sarah Palin's daughter Letterman sure has been having a rough couple of months.

NannyState

This is child's play: Larry "Bud" Melman took Letterman's darkest secrets to his grave.

Dwayne Hoover

I love that line. True, true, true!

bklyngrrl

I really hope that Letterman's career survives this because he has been -- and continues to be -- one of the most original and funny stars of late night television. I really hope no one gives a crap (except prudish Sarah Palin must be thrilled). I think it was a good PR move to be upfront about this and he had guts tonight to create the most awkward 10 minutes of TV ever.