Where is the evidence that Lettermans extortionist had? Shouldn't it be in the wild?

[joshcryer]

Or is this the most inept extortionist in the history of anything? To blackmail someone you indicate that if they do not follow through with the demands, then the information is immediately made available. The fact that it hasn't, so far, is appalling (I mean from a purely "smart criminal" point of view).

Letterman has the advantage in that each of the women he had sexual relations with has not come forward, and he is keeping their identities secret (until of course they go for their own book deals or interviews once a ransom is announced). In most cases we find the identity of these people out rather quickly.

What's $2 million to protect the identities of those involved parties? If the identities are revealed because of the arrest, I think Letterman is scum for placing money above the privacy of the women involved. But going by his statements on the show it sounds like he is confident that they will remain private (meaning, again, the extortionist was an idiot).

Idiot extortionist. Only people making money off of this are the people who slept with Letterman.

[BlooInBloo]

1. (shrug) People don't become criminals because they're geniuses.

[joshcryer]

5. Yeah, he accepted a check, maybe his heart wasn't in it.

I mean a check, c'mon.

[Canuckistanian]

2. The police may have seized the evidence

In that case, Dave may have also done the right thing by the women involved by protecting their identities.

[joshcryer]

4. He could have arranged for copies to be released, though. If the evidence doesn't surface...

Then we know that this was the stupidest extortionist ever.

[eShirl]

3. according to MSNBC.com, the extortionist worked for CBS's "48 Hours"

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33131361/ns/entertainment-celebrities/

"The network said the person who was arrested works on the true-crime show "48 Hours" and has been suspended. A person with knowledge of the investigation said the suspect is Robert J. Halderman. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because authorities have not released the suspect's name.

A "48 Hours" producer named Joe Halderman was part of a team nominated for an Emmy for outstanding continuing coverage of a news story in a news magazine in 2008. Two numbers listed for Halderman were disconnected, and a message left at a third number was not immediately returned Thursday."

[joshcryer]

6. What's ironic about this is the guy said he was going to write a book; if he just wrote it...

...and published it, he'd have made his $2 million easily.

[exboyfil]

8. Well I doubt he will get hired by anyone in Hollywood after

he gets out of prison. Talk about your twofer. This is equivalent to Pete Rose betting on baseball games.

Hope he enjoys his new career in the food service industry - Do you want fries with that?

[exboyfil]

7. I do not see paying $2M to protect the womens' identities to be

right either. Extortion is extortion. Letterman did the right thing by going to the cops immediately. It is a model case for anyone exposed to blackmail. There is no upside to paying. The women engaged in their affairs with Letterman, and they have to deal with the consequences of those actions as well. Whether it be this slimy extortionist or a hypothetical private detective hired by the wife. Letterman is not scum for not protecting their identities, he is scum for sleeping with them while being married. They are scum for sleeping with him and knowingly engaging in adultery. Revealing their identity seems small potatoes next to that (actually you used the word scum which I do find a little strong for describing adultery - the scum in the story is the extortionist - the adulterers may make it to the sleazy level, and I really don't care much about them one way or the other).

[joshcryer]

14. Actually, they don't have to have consequences because the guy seemingly failed the basic rule...

...of extortion. "Make sure if you get caught everyone goes down with you."

As it stands now the ladies who had affairs with Letterman have the potential to get book or interview or even picture deals, but if they want to remain private they can continue to do so.

That's what's so bittersweet about this ordeal, sure Letterman may have done the right thing going to the police, but the very fact that everyone else involved only gets off better in the end is disappointing. Even Dave seems to be getting praise for "doing the right thing," despite that he is a skirt chaser (indeed, the current trend seems to deign that as a positive trait). So I looked at it from a different perspective and thought that paying up and doing things quietly may actually be more virtuous.

I'm weird, I know. And yes 'scum' was probably too strong of a word.

[SoCalDem]

15. He's only been married a few months, even though they were "together" for decades

Regina knew about the other women, or at least she has said she did. This guy just thought he could shake Dave down, and Dave's not the kind of guy to push around. The reality here is this..once you are out of school, your "dating pool" is usually the people you see every day..your co-workers..and the boss is the big-catch.. id it "nice" ?.. maybe not, but it happens all the time everywhere..

[fasttense]

9. Who cares? n/t

[old mark]

10. Evidently the "evidence" is in police custody, will be used to

prosecute the blackmailer/CBS News producer. He left a package with some of the information in Letterman's car with a note. Letterman went to the cops.

mark

[joshcryer]

12. Yes I know but usually an extortionist makes copies and has a backup plan.

The whole point of extortion is that if you go down you take everyone with you. Granted, with affairs the stakes aren't terribly high, but if the guy did his crime right we'd be seeing the evidence all over the internet by now.

[KharmaTrain]

11. There's More To This Story...Stay Tuned...

I agree...this extortionist blew it...and I'm sure we'll learn more about who this person is and background in the days ahead...thus I will reserve any further judgement until I see what develops. All we have at this point is Dave's admission with little else to go with...I'd like to hear what the police have to report.

This isn't rare to have a celebrity blackmailed by a former employee or spurned lover or romp in the night. Many of these cases are handled privately as to protect privacy of those implicated, but there's more at play here. A reason I believe Dave needed to get out in front of it. Be assured his lawyers wouldn't have let him go out there as he did if there was something else at play here. Maybe it is to flush out the source of the extortion. Dave noted that the person had "knowledge" but led one to believe that he had been given information and other incriminating evidence (memos, pictures) that forced Dave's admission.

I'm not going to play morality cop here for many reasons. Firstly, who knows how back these revlations go or whose name is involved. I'm not surprised to learn that Dave dabbled in the office pool...I'm sure with his fame, personality and all the young people he's hired, the temptation was always there. It's similar to office affairs that go on in all kinds of business...add money and celebrity and it's an intoxicating mix for some. So be it. It's up to Dave and those involved and none of my business.

[joshcryer]

13. Saying it's "none of my business" is playing "morality police." I'm not discussing the morality...

...of the situation, however. I'm wondering how stupid the extortionist must have been for the information to not be available. If it doesn't come out in the next 24 hours or so then it probably never will unless one of the people who slept with him writes a book or does an interview (a tabloid or two will likely announce a ransom for an interview, so that probably won't be too long).

The point of extortion is that it's a no win scenario, you are forcing someone into a situation where they must cede to your demands or lose. In this case it fell apart.

[KharmaTrain]

16. There's Something Coming Out

One reason I'm sure Dave went public at this point is that since he did testify to a Grand Jury and an indictment was handed down, the story would become public sooner rather than later. He admitted last night that evidence exists that surely would be introduced in a forthcoming trial that would be more embarassing being exposed in that fashion than if Dave was able to disclose it on his terms. It minimizes whatever shock value that would happen had the story came out in the New York Post or elsewhere.

One question outstanding at this point is who provided the dirt to the CBS Producer. It's still sketchy and I'm sure we're going to hear a bunch more...when you have a story of celebrity, sex and crime it's too tempting for the corporate media to lay off of. Dave refers to the envelope containing "stuff"...not just a note but other materials. I'm sure those will be part of a trial and made public as well...this is just too high profile for it to ever be sequestered and if anything, not disclosing would allow the gossips to chew on this thing endlessly making it not only a distraction to Letterman but an embarassment to his family.

That said...I don't think we'll have to wait long until we start hearing names. Letterman all but invited it last night but also said that he respects their privacy. If someone wants to come forward...c'est la vie. I can't see how they profit from it as a lot of the dirt will probably come forward in a trial.

Regarding the morality...it is none of my business. It appears these affairs were consentual and private. I don't see a sexual harassment suit involved here (sex as a condition of employ) or any women coming forward with their own charges. I'll leave the judgement of his action to his wife and the individuals involved.

[watercolors]

17. Why is it anyones business bit his?

I just don't get it, he is an adult, wasn't married at the time, so what the hell is the big deal. I can understand him protecting the women involved, maybe some were married. So sad that the MSM is so procuppied by sexual affairs.