Robert Joe Halderman Arrested in David Letterman Extortion Scandal (VIDEO)

Robert Joe Halderman, a producer of CBSs 48 Hours, was arrested Thursday for an alleged extortion plot to expose David Lettermans multiple affairs with women on his staff. The scandal was revealed Thursday night, when Letterman told his studio audience he was being blackmailed for $2 million by someone who threatened to expose his sexual relationships with female employees.

Picture of Robert Joe Halderman Arrested in David Letterman Extortion Scandal (VIDEO) [source:BittenBound.com]

The Late Show host contacted the Manhattan District Attorneys Special Prosecution Bureau, and was told to cut a phony check to the alleged extortionist.

According to to sources, Halderman, 51, lived with one of the women Letterman was involved with. Halderman needed money, and decided to target the talk show host.

The affair happened before Lettermans son was born, although he was living with longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko, whom he married in March. (View photos)

The woman still works for the show, but is no longer involved with Letterman.

Letterman testified this morning at a Grand Jury hearing today, and was aked if he had ever slept with a member of his staff.

My response to that is, yes I have, Letterman told his studio audience.

Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would, said Letterman. I feel like I need to protect these people. I need to certainly protect my family.

Halderman, 51, was arrested for attempted grand larceny in the first degree, and has been suspended from 48 Hours pending the results of the investigation.

Watch video of David Letterman October 1, 2009, apology video below:[source:BittenBound.com]