Gigolo Who Scammed German Women Goes on Trial

(NEWSER) - Helg Sgarbi, the man European media nicknamed “the Swiss Gigolo,” was sentenced to 6 years in prison today after pleading guilty in German court to seducing and conning the BMW heiress who is Germany's richest woman, along with several others. Sgarbi apologized to his victims, none of whom were in court, for bilking them out of a combined $11 million, the BBC reports. Sgarbi would blackmail his victims, saying he had “compromising material” on them. More»

Italian PM ready to leave his 'shitty' country

(NEWSER) - The “bunga bunga” fallout continues: Police nabbed an Italian businessman for allegedly blackmailing Silvio Berlusconi in the sex scandal that’s clouded his tenure as prime minister. Giampaolo Tarantini has acknowledged recruiting women for Berlusconi’s alleged sex parties, but he’s maintained that the PM didn’t know that some were escorts. Police say Tarantini was paid almost $750,000 to protect Berlusconi and to seek a fast-track trial that would reveal as little as possible about the parties. More»

Lawyer says he just wanted to sell Letterman a screenplay

(NEWSER) - Accused blackmailer Robert Halderman went to court today, and his lawyer is asking for the extortion case against him to be dismissed. In court papers, Halderman’s attorney writes, "The sensationalism surrounding this indictment, fueled by the celebrity of the purported victim and the deference paid to that celebrity by the District Attorney's Office, has swallowed the only pertinent issue"—namely, whether there's enough evidence to support the case. More»

That and Leno's exit make erstwhile underdog late night winner

(NEWSER) - David Letterman’s scandalous admission of intraoffice sex and his role in a blackmail scheme appear to have titillated audiences. CBS’ Late Show is up 13% in total viewership for the season over last year. Sure, Dave is off 8% in the adults 18-to-49 demographic, but that’s nothing compared to the Tonight Show’s plunge. Since Conan O’Brien took over, the chatfest's ratings have fallen 15% in the demo and 47% overall. More»

He's notoriously private, but don't cross him

(NEWSER) - When Robert Halderman asked David Letterman for $2 million, he probably assumed the notoriously private Letterman would pay him off to avoid public embarrassment. But "all Dave cares about is his career," a source tells New York in a lengthy look at the host and the scandal. "Dave is like, 'No one fucks with me. You fuck with me, you die." More»