DA: Man accused of blackmailing Letterman engaging in ’spin’ with screenplay-shopping claim
By APTuesday, December 15, 2009
DA: Letterman blackmail suspect engaging in ’spin’
NEW YORK — Prosecutors say a TV producer accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman is engaging in “self-serving spin” by claiming that he was just trying to do business with the talk-show host.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office urged a judge to reject Robert “Joe” Halderman’s argument for tossing out the attempted grand larceny case, which prompted the “Late Show” host to acknowledge sexual affairs with staffers.
A decision is expected next month.
Prosecutors say Halderman demanded $2 million in hush money after contacting the comedian with a threat styled as a movie synopsis exposing his personal life. Halderman says he was simply shopping a screenplay.
Halderman’s lawyer had no immediate response to Tuesday’s filing.
