The attorney for accused blackmailer Robert "Joe" Halderman says David Letterman is spinning the extortion plot against him and there are two sides to the story.
"I look forward to cross-examining David Letterman," Halderman's lawyer, Gerald Shargel, told the Today Show Monday morning on behalf of his arrested client.
"If you only hear David Letterman's side of the story, take it at face value, and say, 'Turn off the sets, that Halderman's guilty' - I think that's just plain wrong."
Halderman is accused of blackmailing Letterman with info about his past affairs with staffers. Stephanie Birkitt and Holly Hester are the two known at this time.
Shargel said that Joe Halderman, an Emmy-winning 48 Hours Mystery producer, has an excellent reputation and that allegations he tried to cash a bogus $2 million check from Letterman to pay off debts make "absolutely no sense."
Robert "Joe" Halderman is accused of trying to extort money from David Letterman. His lawyer says there are two sides to the story. He just won't say what his is.
Halderman pleaded not guilty and has maintained his innoncence.
The lawyer largely declined, however, to take advantage of the chance to provide Halderman's take on events, dodging virtually every direct question about his client's alleged conduct and repeating his one point over and over.
Instead, the attorney simply maintained that Halderman is innocent and focused on Letterman's attempt to "get out ahead of the story" with a public mea culpa.
One that has since been pulled by CBS, which doesn't help his case.
"He's a master at manipulating audiences, that's what he does for a living," said Shargel of the Late Show host. "To think that David Letterman gave the entire story, and there's nothing more to be said, it's simply wrong."
Follow the jump for his interview on Today ...
Share
12 Comments
October 5th, 2009 5:46 PM
Umm how do you deny extortion when you were caught in a sting, that means police listen in, watch,and take action when they are sure they have evidence that can convict? Really who cares who David Letterman bones, does it really have anything to do with his job at all. These women aren't saying he took advantage of them.
October 5th, 2009 6:02 PM
thats dumb he is being dumb ?
October 5th, 2009 8:04 PM
I cannot believe he only married his wife after 20 odd years! Man, she is strong holding out that long and then he cheated on her!! Maybe she herself held out on it too in fear that he would do that!
Whole thing is hilarious, I still think Letterman is awesome!
October 5th, 2009 8:39 PM
seriously!!!! who cares!!???
October 5th, 2009 10:10 PM
Regardless about the immorality of Letterman's conduct, it seems to me that Mr. Robert Halderman is going down for the count. They caught him red handed. He's done for. I don't care how good of a lawyer he has.
October 5th, 2009 10:33 PM
This is all getting ridiculous. Leave Letterman alone!
October 5th, 2009 10:42 PM
Lawyers are professional liars. End of story.
October 6th, 2009 12:46 AM
be careful what you do it might come back to haunt you...
October 6th, 2009 5:04 AM
Kick out this old crazy,Letterman from the show.
October 6th, 2009 11:35 AM
Let's all grow up. Letterman never presented himself as anything else. An unexpected pregnancy changed his world...changed his mo....someone wants to cashing in and they got caught !
Letterman is one of us and deserves our support. He was brave to stand up to Bush-Chenney ...We need to be on his side now!!!!!