Letterman's Dangerous Liaisons: Backstage Affairs Prompted Extortion Plot

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Letterman's Dangerous Liaisons: Backstage Affairs Prompted Extortion Plot

Thu., Oct. 1, 2009 6:40 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

CBS

Talk about your stupid human tricks.

David Letterman revealed tonight while taping The Late Show that he has been the victim of an alleged extortion plot. He said that someone demanded $2 million from him three weeks ago in exchange for keeping quiet about various sexual liaisons the veteran funnyman has had with members of his staff.

No punchline, it was for real.

The case was referred to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and an arrest was made earlier today.

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

Where prosecutors of course asked about his alleged dalliances over the years.

"My response to that is, yes I have," Letterman said tonight, acknowleding past affairs. "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."

Letterman has a 5-year-old son, Harry, with girlfriend-of-23-years turned wife, Regina Lasko.

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You know what was funny? Conan O'Brien recounting how he bumped his head during taping last week.