Letterman admits affairs, cites extortion

October 02, 2009|Associated Press

David Letterman acknowledged on yesterday’s show that he had sexual relationships with female employees and that someone tried to extort $2 million from him over the affairs.

During the taping of his CBS late-night show in New York, Letterman discussed receiving a threat to either pay $2 million or risk the relationships being made public.

In a release from the show’s production company, Letterman said he referred the matter to the Manhattan district attorney’s office and that an investigation ended in an arrest yesterday. Letterman did not identify the person he said was arrested.

As part of the investigation, Letterman said he issued a “phony’’ $2 million check to the individual and the arrest followed - along with testimony by Letterman.

“This morning, I did something I’ve never done in my life,’’ said Letterman. “I had to go downtown and testify before a grand jury.’’

In his testimony, he said he acknowledged sexual relationships with members of his staff. It was not immediately clear when the relationships took place; Letterman and longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko married in March.

The couple began dating in 1986 and have a son, Harry, born in November 2003.

“My response to that is, yes I have,’’ Letterman said. “Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would. I feel like I need to protect these people. I need to certainly protect my family.’’

It’s the second set of embarrassing headlines for Letterman in four months.

In June, he apologized to Sarah Palin for making a crude joke about the former Republican vice presidential candidate’s 14-year-old daughter.