Letterman extortion lands producer jail term

The former CBS TV producer who attempted to extort $2 million US from late-night host David Letterman began a six-month jail term Tuesday after appearing in a Manhattan court for his sentencing.

In March, Robert (Joe) Halderman, 52, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny in exchange for a sentence of six months in jail and 1,000 hours of community service.

Though Letterman wasn't on hand for Halderman's sentencing on Tuesday, he has been open publicly about the case, most recently appearing on daytime talk show Live! With Regis and Kelly to discuss how the extortion plot — and his infidelities that prompted it — have affected his life at home.

Typically guarded about his private life, Letterman stunned his in-studio and TV audience last October with an on-air mea culpa about his sexual relationships with female employees over the years. He also disclosed that someone had tried to extort money from him over the affairs.

The popular host married his longtime partner Regina Lasko in 2009. The couple, who have been together since 1986, have a six-year-old son, Harry.

Police arrested Halderman on the day of Letterman's on-air admission and prosecutors proceeded with the case in court a day later.

Halderman, a former producer of the true-crime show 48 Hours Mystery, no longer works for CBS.

Lawyers for Halderman had argued that the producer had been motivated by jealousy that his former girlfriend had engaged in an affair with Letterman and been under financial stress following his divorce.