Joe Halderman Pleads Guilty

Back in October, David Letterman told the nation that he was guilty and apologized for his behavior.

Now, Joe Halderman has done the same.

The difference: What Halderman did was criminal. He's going to jail for six months and has to do 1,000 hours of community service.

NEW YORK (AP) -- From the start, David Letterman made sure the story of a $2 million shakedown attempt over his sex life was one he narrated himself.

It was the comic, not prosecutors, who broke the news of the case, which spurred him last fall to acknowledge affairs with women on his staff.

After former television producer Robert "Joe" Halderman pleaded guilty Tuesday to a blackmail attempt driven by debt and jealousy, Letterman seized the moment again. The late-night icon's lawyers were at the courthouse with a statement from him, and he weighed in on his show with praise for prosecutors and police.

"It was handled professionally, skillfully and appropriately," he said.

Letterman may be hoping the same is said of his own handling of the case, which at first dealt a blow to his image as a nice guy, if perhaps a little cranky.

Halderman, 52, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny, acknowledging he threatened to destroy Letterman reputation by airing his workplace dalliances—using information authorities have said Halderman mined from the diary of a former girlfriend who had a relationship with Letterman.

The plea deal spares Halderman a potential 15 years in prison had he been convicted. He is due instead to get a six-month jail sentence and 1,000 hours of community service.

"I attempted to extort $2 million from David Letterman by threatening to disclose personal and private information about him, whether true or false," he said in court Tuesday, apologizing to his ex-girlfriend and Letterman.

"I feel great remorse for what I have done," he said.

The plea also spares Letterman the prospect of a trial that could have put his private life on display, though he defused much of Halderman's potential bombshell last fall by revealing his affairs.

...Defense attorney Gerald Shargel said Tuesday that Halderman "was both jealous and enraged" and under financial pressure. Halderman, who made about $214,000 in 2007, was struggling with money in the wake of a divorce, according to court papers filed by his ex-wife's lawyers.

Under the plea agreement, Halderman must give prosecutors all copies of any diary entries, photos, screenplay notes or other materials he has concerning Letterman and must agree never to reveal the contents.

Outside court, Halderman repeated his apologies, declined interviews and said no more. He remains free on bail until his sentencing, set for May 4.

Justice was done.

I wonder if Regina Lasko, Letterman's significant other since 1986, wife since 2009, and mother of Letterman's son, born in 2003, feels good about it.

Now that the extortion case is settled, maybe Letterman and Lasko can have a nice 1st wedding anniversary on March 19.

"Under the plea agreement, Halderman must give prosecutors all copies of any diary entries, photos, screenplay notes or other materials he has concerning Letterman and must agree never to reveal the contents."

What a perfect anniversary gift!