When the Letterman fiasco first flared up a month ago, I made this prediction:
Lest we forget the other major sleazoid in this story, Letterman’s blackmailer Robert Haldeman seems to have crafted a unique defense for his attempt at extortion. As his lawyer says:
“Look at the fact that there was a $2 million check. In the history of extortion, I don’t think there’s been a single case where the alleged extortionist took a check in payment. It just doesn’t make any sense.”
So I think it’s going to go like this: Haldeman wasn’t really shaking down Letterman over the affair; he was selling Letterman his thinly fictionalized screenplay about the affair! Gotta give this guy points for chutzpah, at least.
And now the NY Post is reporting all-out war between the two miserable jerks:
David Letterman has flung down the gauntlet, vowing yesterday to take down the CBS producer whose alleged $2 million extortion scheme exposed Letterman’s philandering to his wife and fans.
And he’ll press his case even if it means testifying at what’s sure to be an embarrassing, high-publicity trial.
But the alleged extortionist, Emmy-winning “48 Hours” producer Robert “Joe” Halderman, isn’t backing down, either. He, too, is threatening to fight his case all the way to a jury verdict, even though a conviction could get him up to 15 years in prison.
And he’ll do his fighting with an intriguing argument first revealed yesterday — that his demand for $2 million wasn’t a shakedown, but a legitimate business proposal.
Halderman was merely offering Letterman first dibs on a screenplay and book based on the life of an intern-loving TV host whose world was about to collapse, said his lawyer, Gerald Shargel.
See? You really should listen to what your old pal Simon says. Hmmm, “Simon says…” People should start using that!
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When I look at that “Simon says”, I hear the voice of Simon Bar Sinister from Underdog.
The classic cartoon, of course – not the live-action piece of crap.
sounds like these people deserve each other. lol
Gotta say Halderman’s the bigger creepo, here. David Letterman sleeps with his girlfriend and apparently the first thought that enters his head is how much money he can extort out of the aging funnyman.
Letterman is full of crap if he thinks he can convince people that he would take the stand and expose his whole sorded life. This is the same person that refused to talk about his then Girl Friend until she squeezed a baby out and now refuses to let photos be taken of them in public. Putting Letterman on the stand would be a dream job for a defense attorney.
If were Haldeman I would push back. A check means an expected paper trail and he would need to report it as income to the IRS. Not sure blackmail is a job listed on the IRS forms.
Was it extortion when the Ashley Biden cocaine snorting videotape was for sale?
I think there’s zero chance this guy will get convicted and there’s zero chance Letterman will want to testify about this either.
Most likely charges get dropped.
Please do not link to David Letterman’s sex tape. Saggy old man butt is one thing I can do without.
I’m with Aleric. Letterman’s bluffing.
I too am with Aleric. Letterman’s completely bluffing.
But for the love of Larry Bud Melman, don’t show me that sex tape.
Personally, I don’t know why anyone would believe Halderman. He’s just an idiot out for a buck and revenge, who didn’t think his plan through. I don’t love what Letterman did, but I’m actually more disturbed by Halderman.
“He’s just an idiot out for a buck and revenge, who didn’t think his plan through.”
Could be, but that check, as – er – Simon Sez, is a smoking gun. That’s how you pay off a business deal – not an extortionist. In a courtroom, that check would be a huge obstacle for Letterman.
Ok, somethings wrong, too many people agreed with me. lol
I have a theory about the check as well. Letterman goes to the police and tells them he is being blackmailed, so they decide to set up a sting. Money has to be exchanged so they explain to him he needs to bring 2 million in a suitcase to use. The shock on Lettermans face would have taken an hour to wear off, since Letterman is a known cheapskate and does his best to never pay for anything someone else won’t. Now we know the police aren’t going to pony up the money so Letterman tells them he will give the black mailer a check and not risk “his” cash being lost. The police argue with him about how no criminal is going to take a check but Letterman doesn’t budge and the Cops cave in after a while.
Why can’t they BOTH be egregious creeps? That’s the theory that fits for me. It’s not like that industry has any sort of skank deficit.
I agree with Beige, there is enough creep to go around.
I thought the check was at Haldeman’s request?
Has anyone seen that old Tim Robbin’s movie the Player? I’m pretty sure this whole thing (with a few minor changes) has been lifted straight from that screenplay.
Letterman is a sleazy, class A a-hole, and he has been for many years. He is also a lying hypocrite and an arrogant, self-righteous prick. I would not be surprised in the slightest if it comes out that he has cheated with many women, or that he has a variety of illegitimate children whom he has abandoned. And the network will lie and cover for him as long as he is making them money.