Court files opened in case of newsman accused of attempting to blackmail David Letterman

Court files opened in Letterman extortion case

NORWALK, Conn. — The newsman accused of blackmailing David Letterman about his sexual affairs told the TV host that his “world is about to collapse around him,” according to newly released court documents.

CBS News producer Robert J. “Joe” Halderman allegedly told Letterman in a package of materials he sent that he had “a lot more” documents to back up his threat and needed to “make a large chunk of money,” the court files say.

Halderman has pleaded not guilty to trying to extort $2 million from Letterman to keep some of the comedian’s sexual affairs quiet.

According to the documents, Halderman sent a package with a demand letter, a treatment for a screenplay, photos and personal correspondence.

Letterman is not named specifically in the court documents, but they refer to “Client No. 1″ as a public figure who faced the threat of “a ruined reputation” and damage to his career and family life.

Authorities also seized computer equipment, a camera memory card, banking information, photos and other items from Halderman’s home.

Court documents about the case were released Thursday after a hearing in Norwalk Superior Court.

Halderman, 51, a producer for CBS’ “48 Hours Mystery,” allegedly used diary entries by his former girlfriend — outlining her affair with Letterman — to extort money from the talk show star.

Letterman divulged details of the alleged extortion caper earlier this month during his show, including the admission that he had had affairs with women who worked for him on “Late Show.”

(This version CORRECTS that Halderman allegedly told Letterman in the package of materials that he sent that he had more documents, not that Halderman allegedly told Letterman’s attorney that he had more documents. Also CORRECTS that the source of the package contents is the documents, not Letterman’s attorney.)