CBS Producer Will Plead Guilty In David Letterman Case

In a 180 degree reversal from when his lawyer made the media rounds last year, the CBS producer accused of attempted extortion of David Letterman will plead guilty today and serve six months in jail.

Robert Halderman and his lawyer had previously maintained his innocence, but now he’ll take a plea deal.

The New York Times reports:

As part of the plea agreement, Mr. Halderman will also serve four and a half years probation and must perform 1,000 hours of community service.

Mr. Halderman was expected to plead guilty to attempted extortion, which carried a maximum sentence of seven years in prison; he had been facing a top charge of attempted grand larceny, which carried a top sentence of up to 15 years.

Since Letterman made the story public ahead of the inevitable tabloid fodder, the case has taken on a life of its own (including a CBS News investigation).

Despite promises to put Letterman on the stand, it appears it will quietly come to an end very soon.

> Update: Letterman issued a statement. Here’s part:

I had complete faith that a just and appropriate result was inevitable. On behalf of my family, I am extremely grateful for their tireless efforts.”

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