new york (cnn) – robert “joe” halderman, the former cbs news producer accused of trying to blackmail comedian david letterman, agreed Tuesday to plead guilty to attempted grand theft in second degree in exchange for six months in jail, five years probation, and 1,000 hours of community service.
“This is a serious sentence that accurately reflects the crimes Mr. Halderman has now admitted to committing, and is a fitting end to the case,” said Letterman’s attorney, Daniel J. horwitz.
During Tuesday’s taping of his “late night” show, Letterman expressed his gratitude and relief that the matter is over.
“Now, I had never been involved in anything like this in my life, and I was worried, anxious, nervous and worried,” he said. “and the people in the district attorney’s office said, ‘this will be handled professionally, this will be handled skillfully and properly.’ and appropriate.”
62-year-old Manhattan Designated District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., former District Attorney Robert M. morgenthau, the office of special prosecutions in the district attorney’s office and the new york city police department.
Formal sentencing is scheduled for May 4.
In a separate statement, the former “48 Hours” producer admitted he tried to extort $2 million from Letterman to keep quiet about the “late show” host’s sexual escapades.
“On the morning of September 9, 2009, I gave Mr. Letterman’s driver a sealed envelope while he was waiting outside Mr. Letterman’s home in Manhattan,” Halderman said in the statement, called an address. “I asked the driver to give the envelope marked ‘privileged and confidential’ to Mr. Letterman.
“the envelope contained a number of documents, including a document I created titled ‘treatment for a screenplay.’ /p>
“later that month, on three separate occasions i met with mr. letterman’s attorney, jim jackoway, to work out the details of the extortion. on october 1, 2009, i deposited a $2 million check that mr. .jackoway gave me.
“During this time I learned that I was not involved in a legitimate business transaction with Mr. Letterman and that what I was doing was against New York law. I understand that my attempt to extort $2 million from Mr. Letterman violated your and your family’s privacy. I promise to respect your privacy in the future.”
then district attorney morgenthau said letterman gave halderman a $2 million check in october and that halderman deposited the money in a connecticut bank account the day before he was arrested.
halderman was released from jail on $200,000 bond in October.
letterman announced the extortion plot on his cbs show in October and admitted to having affairs with the female staff.
halderman closed his statement by expressing “great remorse” and apologizing to letterman and his family and to the family of stephanie birkitt, one of the women halderman alleges had a sexual relationship with letterman. Birkitt was an assistant to the talk show host and Halderman’s former intern girlfriend.
The 27-year veteran of cbs was initially charged with attempted first-degree grand theft, to which he pleaded not guilty in October. he could have faced 15 years in prison if he were convicted of the charge.
cnn’s julian cummings contributed to this story.