Letterman Extortion Case Raises Questions for CBS ['sexual harassment, abuse of power?']

New York Times ^ | October 2, 2009 | BILL CARTER and LIZ ROBBINS

[ETL]

David Letterman, who built his career skewering philandering politicians and show business “weasels” and “boneheads,” finds himself in the middle of his own celebrity scandal, after he admitted having multiple affairs with employees of his production company, Worldwide Pants.

For the intensely private Mr. Letterman, the revelations, which resulted from a bizarre extortion attempt, are sure to be extremely embarrassing, especially as he tries to extend his lead in the late-night contest. ”I have had sex with women who work for me on this show,” he told his audience on Thursday night, calling himself “creepy.” He added that he hoped “to protect my job.”

More seriously, they raised questions for both his company and CBS about whether his actions constituted sexual harassment or at least abuse of a power relationship over employees.

[ETL]

I wonder if they wear slutty looking staff outfits?

From NewsBusters.org, June 9, 2009...

Seven months after Election Day, and the attacks on Sarah Palin keep coming.

On Monday, CBS's David Letterman on the "Late Show" shamelessly went after the Alaska governor and her family during his opening monologue, as well as in his "Top Ten" list.

Top Ten Highlights Of Sarah Palin's Trip To New York

10. Visited New York landmarks she normally only sees from Alaska

9. Laughed at all the crazy-looking foreigners entering the U.N.

8. Made moose jerky on Rachael Ray

7. Keyed Tina Fey's car

6. After a wink and a nod, ended up with a kilo of crack

5. Made coat out of New York City rat pelts

4. Sat in for Kelly Ripa. Regis couldn't tell the difference.

3. Finally met one of those Jewish people Mel Gibson's always talking about

2. Bought makeup from Bloomingdale's to update her "slutty flight attendant" look

1. Especially enjoyed not appearing on Letterman

"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked-up by Alex Rodriguez."

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/06/09/letterman-attacks-sarah-palins-slutty-flight-attendant-look

[StolarStorm]

I wonder if they were interns? He smokes cigars doesn't he?

If any of the comedians out there, like Jay Leno, decide to cover this they have a vast amount of material to draw from.

[jeltz25]

Very interesting NYT piece.

They mention that CBS did an investigation and was assured that none of the women were underage. What does it say about him that they’d even ask that question? Would anyone even think about that with say Jay Leno or Conan O’Brien?

More telling is the details of his background:
Several longtime associates of Mr. Letterman said he has a long history of pursuing relationships with employees, dating to his first days on television on NBC in the early 1980s. At that time he was known to frequently date interns and other young women connected to his show, one associate said.

His first longtime relationship was with Merrill Markoe, who was his head writer on his NBC show, “Late Night With David Letterman,” and before they became a couple, Mr. Letterman and Ms. Lasko worked together on his show. Some veterans of the show said it was well-known inside the production that he had also had a close relationship at one time with another previous assistant.

I would not be surprised at all if one were to go back and find photos of these interns, young women, and assistants(maybe one who cast him aside or ended things or turned him down) that one or more of them bears a resemblance to a certain brunette and/or some of her children. His attacks on her are so personal-based and out of any proprtion that there has to be something deeper motivating him.

Also, how can the NYT say his first long time relationship was with Markoe when he was married to a woman for 9 yrs who I can find absolutely no information about anything more recent than 1977.

[notaliberal]

PIG!

[HKMk23]

He could be in breech of contract.

Indeed, he has been -- by his own admission -- in many breeches. It remains to be seen whether they were all contractual.

[gman992]

Again, what’s the point of having female staffers/interns then????? Besides, women love men with power!!! (Have you ever heard of anyone wanting to sleep with the vice-president?)

[gman992]

Again, what’s the point of having female staffers/interns then????? Besides, women love men with power!!! (Have you ever heard of anyone wanting to sleep with the vice-president?)

[Logical me]

To CBS and this jacka@@ it is a badge of honor. Ah, the conquest. Where do these sick people come from?

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

Where is Mrs. Regina Lasko Letterman in all of this?

obviously at home mute

Does Letterman have an open marriage and was that in the terms of 23 year pondered pre-nup ‘til he wed his lovely
bride Regina in March 2009?

[ETL]

Just released...

“CBS would not address questions about whether Letterman faced any disciplinary actions for relationships with subordinates. CBS News also declined to address questions about whether Halderman’s alleged actions call into question any of the work he has done for the news division.

David Lande, a New York City-based civil attorney whose cases have included sexual harassment, said Letterman presumably was in a position of power with a voice in hiring, firing and promotions.

“So, to the extent that he had control over these factors with the women he was involved with, he could be subject to liability,” he said. “I am sure CBS lawyers are reviewing the matter very carefully.”

Shanti Atkins, president of ELT, a firm that consults on ethics and sex in the workplace issues, said Letterman, his company and CBS could also be vulnerable to claims of sexual favoritism by others in the company if they believe people got ahead because they were sleeping with the boss.

Assistant District Attorney Judy Salwen told the judge Halderman was in debt, but did not elaborate.

“The evidence is compelling,” she said. “It shows the defendant is desperate, and he is capable of doing anything.”

The prosecutor said Halderman gave the talk show host a package of materials that “contained clear, explicit and actual threats that indicate this defendant ... (wanted to) destroy the reputation of Mr. Letterman and to submit him and his family to humiliation and ridicule.”

Halderman, hands cuffed behind his back, stared at the floor during most of Friday’s court hearing and said only “not guilty.”

His lawyer, Gerald Shargel, said Halderman worked at CBS for 27 years and had no prior criminal record. He described him as an involved father who coached soccer, baseball and football and has two children, ages 11 and 18.

“This story is far more complicated than what you heard this afternoon,” Shargel said outside court, but he would not elaborate.

Halderman earned about $214,000 in 2007. He was ordered in 2007 to pay his ex-wife $6,800 per month in child and spousal support until May 2011, when the payments will be reduced to $5,966 until May 2014, according to papers filed in Stamford Superior Court.

He had asked for a reduction to $2,039 per month because his ex-wife, Patty Montet, was sharing a house in New Canaan with a man. But Montet argued — and the judge agreed — that her living arrangement was for convenience and not romantic. Montet also claimed Halderman was getting $1,500 a month from Birkitt.

“Mr. Halderman claims he is struggling financially, but it is difficult to see what, other than mismanagement and extravagant spending, is the reason for this,” Montet’s attorneys said in the court file. “His is a world of golf trips, vacations, increasing 401k assets, comprehensive benefits, security in employment, earnings as an award-winning producer for CBS, and home ownership.”...”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091003/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_letterman_extortion/print

[ETL]

I have a feeling there were more than women involved. I don’t know why but that’s the way I feel. Otherwise he could have just as simply told the guy to take a hike.

Agreed, especially since the affairs apparently all happened BEFORE his marriage, at least according to his spokesman. Plus Letterman admits the extortion evidence did indeed show he did some "terrible things" (see the linked video below).

"All the affairs took place before Letterman's marriage, said Tom Keaney, spokesman for Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091003/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_letterman_extortion/print
__________________________________________

Video of Letterman's on-air Late Show confession
(complete: 10 mins):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVC3HohP8o4

[ETL]

“His lawyer, Gerald Shargel, said Halderman worked at CBS for 27 years and had no prior criminal record. He described him as an involved father who coached soccer, baseball and football and has two children, ages 11 and 18.

“This story is far more complicated than what you heard this afternoon,” Shargel said outside court, but he would not elaborate.”

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091003/ap_on_en_tv/us_tv_letterman_extortion

[sickoflibs]

Is FNC Factor BoR reporting on this?

[Yaelle]

Is FNC Factor BoR reporting on this?

"Hey. That's not really fair. I never actually touched my employees. I only forced phone sex on them! That's different!"

[sickoflibs]

The difference is FNC BoR paid off, while Letterman was able to prosecute. Also BoR makes believe he is conservative and wrote that book on values, Letterman being a known Hollywood liberal, is considered a rock star taking care of his groupies. This is just so cool for his fans.

Hopefully the Letterman story will stay alive, maybe FNC can interview the employees. Where is my FNC favorite Megn Kelly? On Maternity leave? I would love to see her on this story.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

Dear ReGYNa ,

girlfriend you need to make up your mind about yo’ baby’s Daddy. Yo bin wid da’ man for a little less than a 1/4 of a century. Go get you some topnotch lawyers and see if you can quit your slave stage Oh dats right it took 23 years to write yo’ damn pre-nup.

[MissDairyGoodnessVT]

Dear ReGYNa ,

girlfriend you need to make up your mind about yo’ baby’s Daddy. Yo bin wid da’ man for a little less than a 1/4 of a century. Go get you some topnotch lawyers and see if you can quit your slave stage Oh dats right it took 23 years to write yo’ damn pre-nup.

P.S. take some hints from Elizabeth “Cherubim” Edwards