USA: David Letterman's alleged extortioner files papers to dismiss criminal charges

Record ID: 1543063

  • Title: USA: David Letterman's alleged extortioner files papers to dismiss criminal charges
  • Date: 11th November 2009
  • Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) MARQUEE FOR LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN DAVID LETTERMAN WITH MUSICIAN PAUL MCCARTNEY DURING SHOW TAPING
  • Embargoed: 26th November 2009 13:50
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA5PH4F44ATB4PKOW2H5GZ12YHZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: The man accused of extorting TV host David Letterman appeared in court Tuesday (November 10) to file for dismissal of all criminal charges. Joe Halderman, a television producer for CBS, allegedly threatened to make public details about Letterman's extramarital affairs with staff members of his TV talk show, unless Letterman paid $2 million dollars (USD) to keep Halderman quiet.
    Last month, prosecutors said Halderman appeared at Letterman's Manhattan home on September 9 and left a package in the comedian's car with a one-page film screenplay outlining the affairs and a letter demanding the money.
    Speaking outside the courthouse after the motion to dismiss charges was filed, the lawyer representing Halderman, Gerald L. Shargel, described his client's actions as nothing more than a typical business transaction. Halderman did not speak at the media conference.
    "The facts of this case are largely undisputed, they are simple and straight forward, this was a commercial transaction, it was nothing more, it did not violate the penal law, the District Attorney's office jumped all over this, I suggest, without taking an appropriately objective view of the facts," said Shargel.
    When asked if his client had attempted to extort Letterman, Shargel responded, "There was no extortion here, there was no extortion within the meaning of law."
    Lawyers for David Letterman had a different view of the commercial transaction described by Halderman's attorney.
    "Ask yourself if the evidence of Mr. Halderman waiting in the shadows outside Mr. Letterman's apartment building at 6 o'clock in the morning, with an extortion demand to throw into the back of his car threatening that his world is going to collapse, threatening Mr. Letterman's personal and professional life if he didn't pay Mr. Halderman a big chunk of money, and demanding that Mr. Letterman get back to Mr. Halderman in two hours," says lawyer Daniel J. Horwitz, who represents Letterman. "I suggest to you that that evidence is not a legitimate business transaction, and it's classic blackmail, no matter how Mr. Halderman's lawyer wants to dress it up."
    Horwitz told reporters that motions to dismiss charges similar to the one filed by Halderman are routine, and that they are most often denied. Horwitz also voiced David Letterman's insistence to see the case through to its completion, including testifying at a trial for the accused.
    "And let me say this: Mr. Letterman is fully prepared to see this case through to the end, including testifying at a trial to see that justice is done," says Horwitz.
    According to one affidavit, Halderman told Letterman's lawyers in a meeting at a Manhattan hotel that he planned to "write the book and publicize the information" if he was not paid. He was arrested later after depositing a fake $2 million (USD) check into his bank account.
    Photographs, a letter, video and audio tapes, a computer hard drive and other items were removed from Halderman's Norwalk, Connecticut home, according to court documents.
    Last month, Letterman, 62, admitted on his "Late Show with David Letterman" he had sex with women who worked on the program. He told his audience he went to officials after receiving a package threatening to reveal details.
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