TV'S DAVID LETTERMAN BLACKMAILER NAMED

David Letterman

The man at the center of allegedly trying to extort $2 million from late night talk show host David Letterman, has been exposed as a top television producer at CBS. Yesterday Letterman revealed he had become the victim of a bribery plot over his sexual affairs with several female members of his staff. The blackmailer demanded the cash to keep the information out of the public domain. Letterman turned to authorities instead and the man was arrested in New York City yesterday. CBS network chiefs have now unveiled the identity of the alleged extortionist, producer Robert ‘Joe’ Halderman, who works on the channel’s true crime program 48 Hours. Halderman was reportedly involved in a relationship with Letterman’s former assistant Stephanie Birkitt, who allegedly enjoyed an affair with Letterman until 2003. A statement released by television bosses on Thursday reads, "CBS was made aware of an ongoing police investigation involving David Letterman and an employee at 48 Hours, who was subsequently arrested earlier today on charges of attempted grand larceny in the first degree." Halderman has since been suspended from his job pending further investigation. Letterman also married longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko in March.