NY - Letterman: I faced extortion over sexual affairs

[lajr56]

TMZ is reporting that there was a recent breakup and that Halderman was in possession of Birkett's diary.

http://www.tmz.com/2009/10/02/david...kitt-joe-halderman-robert-halderman-extortion

 

[SuziQ]

Live - Manhattan DA Talks Letterman Extortion

Posted Oct 2nd 2009 11:38AM by TMZ Staff
We're live at the Manhattan DA's office for a press conference about the David Letterman extortion case. Dave revealed last night on his show that a man tried to extort $2 million from him in exchange for keeping quiet about Dave's affairs with his staffers.



Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0SnHQnv8K

 

[Gracenote]

I'm not a fan of him but I'm glad he didn't give in to a blackmailer. I despise blackmailers. And it isn't like this will affect Letterman's career. No one really cares what or who he does.

 

[SuziQ]

Saying in the presser that Letterman's description last night was pretty accurate. The check was designed to bounce.

I'll bet that the materials sent could have been photocopies of the diary.

 

[OrdinaryLife]

What affairs Letterman had with other women is his problem to deal with. We have no idea the time frame and did he have them when married. I will *never* approve of affairs. Ever. But, this all said...

Letterman was a victim here. A man attempted to gain money for silence. Letterman went to LE, as he should have, and spoke to the public. He never tried to hide anything or make excuses for what he had done. I hope all goes well for himself, his family, and the women he actually acknowledged he had affairs with. As victims of this themselves.

Being humbled is never a bad thing....

 

[Trino]

Letterman was a victim here. A man attempted to gain money for silence. Letterman went to LE, as he should have, and spoke to the public. He never tried to hide anything or make excuses for what he had done. I hope all goes well for himself, his family, and the women he actually acknowledged he had affairs with. As victims of this themselves. Being humbled is never a bad thing....

Letterman may never have hidden his affairs, but I'll bet he never admitted to them either until this came out. Kind of like a few politicians, eh?

 

[MomofBoys]

Wow, Stephanie is what led to all this? It might not have been intentional, but what a weird coincidence. Did "Monty" have an affair with him? Or did she just witness his many affairs?

We don't know if these encounters happened before he was married, but he's been with his wife in some capacity forever, hasn't he?

I used to adore Dave. Then he got too bitter and political. I mean, I was a HUGE Dave fan. Now--I'll flip him on if there's a guest I want to see, but I haven't sought him out in a couple years.

I bet Palin is really having to bite her tongue today.

 

[OrdinaryLife]

Letterman may never have hidden his affairs, but I'll bet he never admitted to them either until this came out. Kind of like a few politicians, eh?

He's an entertainer that most likely, as many have, took advantage of his "status" with other women. Only difference is an entertainer gets a break for infidelity where a politician has broken a moral standard. Go figure.

Letterman is still a victim of extortion. I don't think that should be ignored, regardless of how many times he dipped a stick.

 

[LawRig]

I guess I dont see the big problem with Mr. Letterman's actions, only with the extortionists.

None of his partners were raped, killed, dismembered, publically ridiculed, embarrassed or harmed in any way by DL's actions. The women in question were all free choice enabled.

I suspect his wife already is aware of whom he slept with and when, and was prior to the marriage and the appearence of the a child.

I am glad the extortionist was shut down and exposed and will be prosecuted. His actions are illegal.

Mr. Lettermans were not.
We have not been informed of any of the women objecting to Mr. Lettermans attentions and to presume they exist is reverse discrimination .

MOO .

 

[MomofBoys]

I don't think there are any legal issues with Letterman, but if these affairs did occur during Stephanie's stint on the show--he was already in a pretty committed relationship at that point. At least I think I have the dates right. It doesn't make him a criminal, but it does make him a bit sketchy morally, IMHO.

 

[Vegas Bride]

http://cbs5.com/entertainment/david.letterman.extortion.2.1224785.html

This article talks about the debts the blackmailer had. He owes over 6,000 a month in child support and alimony so I guess he just thought this would be an easy way to get a lot of cash.

VB

 

[hoppyfrog]

I guess I dont see the big problem with Mr. Letterman's actions, only with the extortionists.

Wow.

So there's no problem with sexual harrassment of employees?

Perhaps the female staffers felt obligated to have sex in order to keep their jobs?

I have a BIG problem with Letterman's actions.

Hoppy

 

[KT Can]

Never negotiate with terrorists, or extortionists. I'm glad he fessed up and shot this guy down. David Letterman's wrongs do not make this guy's actions right. DL's infidelities and extortion/blackmail are two separate issues. One is for him and his wife to deal with, the other is unacceptable in any fashion.

 

[SuziQ]

Wow.

So there's no problem with sexual harrassment of employees?

Perhaps the female staffers felt obligated to have sex in order to keep their jobs?

I have a BIG problem with Letterman's actions.

Hoppy

But no one has made those claims....yet.

 

[SuziQ]

People like this guy scare me. They are one step away from taking someones life for money.

 

[hoppyfrog]

But no one has made those claims....yet.

The boss having sex with people in the office creates what is known as a hostile working environment, in which people fear losing their jobs if they don't acquiesce to the boss' demands or fear losing advancement to people who do have sex with the boss. This is why most organizations have policies against doing what Letterman did.

We don't know if people have made those claims yet or not, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if there was discomfort in that office because of what he did.

Hoppy

 

[opme]

Wow.

So there's no problem with sexual harrassment of employees?

Perhaps the female staffers felt obligated to have sex in order to keep their jobs?

I have a BIG problem with Letterman's actions.

Hoppy

In addition it may have led to other staff members feeling that there was favourtism with pay, raises, bonsuses or other benefits due to the "realtionship" between the staffers involved with letterman and those who were not..
even if it were not the case the whisper of suspicion is there quietly permeating the air of the office..

 

[OrdinaryLife]

I am not going to excuse this guys "behaviour", but I do think it's very important to remember that DL is a victim of an extortion crime. Can we discuss moral ethics, yes. But, it should never be forgotten that an attempt was made for $2 million dollars.

Two separate issues here. Moral ethic and pure crime. I do not think the two should be blended into one. For me, it's kinda like blaming a prostitute that she was raped. A fine line that should not be crossed when a crime is committed. A victim is a victim no matter what their history is. Just say'in.

IMVHO, of course.

 

[WhyaDuck?]

I cannot wrap my brain around any situation that involves people having sex with David Letterman.

*shudders*

 

[hoppyfrog]

I am not going to excuse this guys "behaviour", but I do think it's very important to remember that DL is a victim of an extortion crime. Can we discuss moral ethics, yes. But, it should never be forgotten that an attempt was made for $2 million dollars.

Two separate issues here. Moral ethic and pure crime. I do not think the two should be blended into one. For me, it's kinda like blaming a prostitute that she was raped. A fine line that should not be crossed when a crime is committed. A victim is a victim no matter what their history is. Just say'in.

IMVHO, of course.

Creating a hostile work environment is also against the law; it's not "just" a moral issue.

Hoppy