The man accused of hatching a $2 million extortion plot against David Letterman is out of jail for now -- but Robert "Joe" Halderman better not get too close to the talk show host while he is.
Halderman just posted bail -- which was set at $200,000. Judge Michael Melkonian also issued a temporary order of protection, which requires Halderman to stay away from Letterman.
Halderman pled not guilty to attempted grand larceny in the first degree -- a felony.
The Manhattan DA's press conference over David Letterman's extortion case just ended -- and revealed Robert "Joe" Halderman was busted after he tried depositing his $2 million check. Which raises the question ... who takes a check?
Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said three meetings were held between Halderman and Letterman's lawyers at the Essex House -- Dave was not present -- and at the 3rd meeting, the check was turned over to Halderman.
Morgenthau says Letterman's lawyer wore a wire -- and the last two meetings were audio taped.
Halderman deposited the check -- which was designed to bounce -- the next morning, yesterday, and was then arrested.
This is the man arrested for the $2 million extortion plot against David Letterman.
Robert "Joe" Halderman -- a well-respected producer for "48 Hours" -- was busted outside CBS headquarters in NYC for attempted grand larceny in the first degree.
Until recently Halderman was living with Stephanie Birkitt, Letterman's former assistant. We're told Letterman was having a relationship with Birkitt but ended it before his son was born in 2003.
We've learned Robert "Joe" Halderman was arrested yesterday outside the CBS headquarters in NYC, and it was news to the people inside who make the news.
Our sources say the Manhattan D.A. played the investigation close to the vest and people inside the building were baffled when the highly-respected producer was cuffed and hauled off in the David Letterman extortion case.
As we already reported Halderman had a relationship with Stephanie Birkitt and lived with her. But we're told they had broken up "recently." We do not know who ended the relationship, but Halderman allegedly was in possession of Birkitt's diary, correspondence and photos -- which he says incriminated Letterman.
People connected with the network tell us Letterman did have a relationship with Birkitt, but the word is that it ended before Letterman had his baby in 2003.
Usually it wouldn't be a problem, except when Jack Black launched the F-missile on Letterman last night -- nobody hit the censor button!
As for the FCC -- since it was after 10pm, both Black and Letterman are in the clear ... but at least Dave's finally got something to talk about besides Sarah Palin. Warning: The F-bomb drops at :48 into the clip.
Julia Roberts gives love to her fans as she arrives at the 'Late Show with David Letterman.'
Jimmy Fallon, Marilyn Manson, Dita Von Teese, Ice-T and Moby were just some of the stars that came out to celebrate Rolling Stone Magazine's 1000th issue.
This is the man arrested for the $2 million extortion plot against David Letterman.
We've learned Robert "Joe" Halderman was arrested yesterday outside the CBS headquarters in NYC, and it was news to the people inside who make the news.
