Your tip
Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail

David Letterman Alleged Extortionist's Neighbors In State Of Shock Over Arrest

Oct. 2 2009, Published 3:12 p.m. ET

RadarOnline CommentsLink to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

Robert Joe Halderman is the television producer at the center of a bizarre plot to extort millions of dollars from American television icon David Letterman.

News of Halderman’s arrest has shocked friends, family and former colleagues of the veteran producer of 48 Hours who also worked on the Winter Olympics and the acclaimed 2006 documentary Three Days In September which was narrated by Oscar winner Julia Roberts.

Article continues below advertisement

It’s understood that the A-lister grew to admire and like Halderman while working with him on the documentary about the September 1, 2004 assault by Chechan terrorists on a school in Beslan where 1200 parents and teachers were held hostage.

And Halderman also regularly worked with Dan Rather as a CBS News producer on the old morning show and later with Evening News with Dan Rather.

In fact he was so highly regarded by the network that he was shipped to London where he reported on various hotspots from around the world.

Article continues below advertisement

EXCLUSIVE DETAILS: Woman At The Center Of The Extortion Plot

One television insider revealed: “He was a very successful breaking news presenter, and well liked by most people he worked with.

“He was very driven, very smart – he was a guy who could be dropped into a war zone and navigate the dangers, get the facts and get the story together.”

In fact Halderman once told colleagues that when he was once detained in Bosnia his translator later told him that the soldiers detaining his party had debated whether to ‘kill the journalists’.

Article continues below advertisement

VIDEO: Meet The Woman At The Center Of The Plot

It’s understood that Halderman met Stephanie Birkitt while working on 48 Hours before she switched to go and work for David Letterman.

Birkitt – who recently passed New York Bar exams – reportedly broke off heir relationship leaving the producer shell-shocked.

The divorced producer owns a house in Norwalk, Connecticut, an old seaport and factory town and his neighbors are in a state of shock about the latest developments.

Article continues below advertisement

VIDEO: Letterman Admits To Having Sex With Staffers

One told RadarOnline.com Online.com today: “Robert is a very busy guy who was always going places and couldn’t always come to our residents meetings.

“But he was always very civil and waved at you in his car if you saw him passing – we did see him with a younger woman at the house from time to time.

“Everybody is shocked at these latest developments because you wouldn’t expect him to get involved in something like this.”

Article continues below advertisement

EXCLUSIVE: CBS Producer Arrested For Extortion Lived With Woman Who Slept With Letterman

And his former father-in-law Mark Montet is also surprised at these latest turn of events involving the acclaimed producer.

He said: “We are shocked about what has happened but I don’t want to talk too much about him or my daughter at this time.

“Of course I did get to know him but I would rather not say too much at this time or speak about my daughter either.”

Image of a woman with shocked expression

Never Miss an

Exclusive

Daily updates from the heart of Hollywood, right to your inbox

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE ON Celebrity

Halderman – who won many awards for his work for CBS – is expected to be arraigned today.

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 RADAR ONLINE™️. A DIVISION OF MYSTIFY ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK INC. RADAR ONLINE is a registered trademark. All rights reserved. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Cookies Policy. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services. Offers may be subject to change without notice.