The dude who tried to blackmail David Letterman was sentenced to six months in jail today. He was facing fifteen years, but he plead guilty for a lighter sentence. The dude, Robert Halderman, a disgraced CBS News producer, plead guilty to extortion,  to 2nd-degree grand larceny, and he offered an apology to his victim,  David Letterman.

 

Following Halderman's court appearance, David Letterman released a statement through his spokesman thanking the DA . “I would like to thank the district attorney of Manhattan, Cyrus R. Vance Jr., the former district attorney, Robert M. Morgenthau, the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the D.A.’s office, and the New York City Police Department. When they became involved with this case, I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts.” (New York Times)

Halderman attempted to extort two million dollars from David Letterman, threatening to reveal Letterman's  extramarital affairs..The fall-out from the blackmail case led to increased public attention for Letterman, and higher TV ratings for Letterman's show.

Link: The New York Times, (http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/09/letterman-offers-a-comm...)