CBS "Late Show" host David Letterman shocked his audience Thursday with the revelation that he had sexual relationships with female staffers on his show and that he has been the target of an extortion attempt because of the acts.
The 62-year-old comedian told his studio audience during the taping of Thursday night's show that he had received threats to pay someone $2 million or his relationships with female employees would be made public.
Letterman said he turned the matter over to the district attorney's office in Manhattan, which set up a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the person behind the blackmail attempt.
Letterman, who was married in March to long-time companion Regina Lasko, did not offer any kind of time line as to when the sexual encounters with employees took place. Letterman and Lasko have a 5-year-old son, Harry.
Letterman said the man who tried to extort the money from him was caught by police after trying to cash a "phony" $2 million check that authorities had instructed the comedian to give to the man. Thursday morning Letterman testified against the extortionist, he said.
"This morning, I did something I've never done in my life," Letterman told his audience. "I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury."
Z on TV: David Letterman reveals affairs, extortion attempt - Sun critic David Zurawik writes about the business, culture and craziness of television - baltimoresun.com
The 62-year-old comedian told his studio audience during the taping of Thursday night's show that he had received threats to pay someone $2 million or his relationships with female employees would be made public.
Letterman said he turned the matter over to the district attorney's office in Manhattan, which set up a sting operation that resulted in the arrest of the person behind the blackmail attempt.
Letterman, who was married in March to long-time companion Regina Lasko, did not offer any kind of time line as to when the sexual encounters with employees took place. Letterman and Lasko have a 5-year-old son, Harry.
Letterman said the man who tried to extort the money from him was caught by police after trying to cash a "phony" $2 million check that authorities had instructed the comedian to give to the man. Thursday morning Letterman testified against the extortionist, he said.
"This morning, I did something I've never done in my life," Letterman told his audience. "I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury."
Z on TV: David Letterman reveals affairs, extortion attempt - Sun critic David Zurawik writes about the business, culture and craziness of television - baltimoresun.com
