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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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NEWS ABOUT: extortion

extortion stories: 54 news summaries

1 - 20 of 54 Stories | 1 2 3 Next >>

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 Crawford Blackmailed 
 Over Daughter's Photo 

Man threatens to sell 'prank' pic of girl bound to chair

Nov 12, 09 9:55 PM CST
(Newser) - Cindy Crawford was the target of a bizarre extortion attempt involving a photo of her young daughter. Court documents say a German man threatened to go public with a photo of the 7-year-old girl that showed her bound to a chair and gagged. A Crawford rep says the photo was... More »

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extortion • photograph • daughter • Cindy Crawford • Cindy Crawford extortion

 Dave Ready 
 to Testify 
 Against 
 Blackmailer 

Letterman prepared to 'see case through,' lawyer says

Nov 10, 09 2:49 PM CST
(Newser) - David Letterman is ready to take the stand in order to convict accused extortionist Robert Halderman. Dave “is fully prepared to see this case through to the end, including testifying at trial," said lawyer Daniel Horwitz. He added that Halderman’s new claim—in a bid to get... More »

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blackmail • extortion • David Letterman • Robert Halderman

LETTERMAN SCANDAL


 Halderman 
 Wants Extortion 
 Case Dropped 

Lawyer says he just wanted to sell Letterman a screenplay

Nov 10, 09 10:32 AM CST
(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... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Robert Halderman

Letterman Blackmailer Heads Back to Court, May Want Trial

With $100K raised for defense, Halderman plea deal looks unlikely

Nov 9, 09 9:41 PM CST
(Newser) - The man accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman has raised $100,000 for his defense fund ahead of tomorrow’s first hearing in the case, and some experts think Robert “Joe” Halderman won’t accept a plea bargain despite his reported money woes. “This lawyer is a... More »

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CBS • blackmail • extortion • plea bargain • David Letterman • legal defense • hearings • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Gerald Shargel

BEHIND THE SCENES

 Blackmailer Read 
 Letterman All Wrong  

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

Oct 27, 09 4:44 PM CDT
(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.... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

 'Juror Leak' Sparks 
 Travolta Mistrial 

Alleged extortionists to face new trial after word of acquittal gets out

Oct 22, 09 2:06 AM CDT
(Newser) - A Bahamian judge ordered a mistrial in the John Travolta extortion case yesterday after a loose-lipped juror apparently spread word that one of the two accused would be acquitted. The judge blamed juror misconduct after a local politician made a speech saying that a former senator—charged along with a... More »

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John Travolta • extortion • Bahamas • mistrial • Jett Travolta • Tarino Lightbourn • Pleasant Bridgewater

OPINION

Health Industry Shakedown Imperils Reform

Obama must ignore lobbyists for insurers, doctors, drug makers

Oct 19, 09 3:32 PM CDT
(Newser) - In dealing with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, and the AMA, President Obama should take a page from David Letterman's book and not fall prey to blackmail, writes former Labor Secretary Robert Reich. Promises the administration made to those three constituencies in exchange for staying neutral or positive about health care reform... More »

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physician • blackmail • extortion • David Letterman • American Medical Association • health care reform • Robert Reich • pharmaceutical industry • insurance industry • Obama administration • doctors • President Obama • health insurance industry • shakedown

EXTORTION CASE

 Medic: Travolta 
 Offered $15M to Hush 

Tarino Lightbourne tries to turn the tables on John Travolta at extortion trial

Oct 15, 09 9:32 AM CDT
(Newser) - Jett Travolta was “dead, d-e-a-d, dead” before the ambulance arrived, Bahamian paramedic Tarino Lightbourne testified yesterday—adding that it was the Travoltas’ lawyer who offered him $15 million to destroy a “Refusal of Transport/Treatment” document signed by the actor. The paramedic is charged along with a former Bahamas... More »

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entertainment • John Travolta • celebrity trials • celebrity • extortion • Bahamas • Jett Travolta • Tarino Lightbourn • Pleasant Bridgewater

 Letterman 
 Brought Galpal 
 on Family 
 Vacations 

Stephanie Birkitt was in Caribbean with Letterman, wife Regina Lasko, son

Oct 9, 09 10:56 AM CDT
(Newser) - Add one more item to the list of things Regina Lasko has against hubby David Letterman. The Late Show host brought galpal Stephanie Birkitt along on vacations with Lasko and son Harry, sources tell the New York Post. Other friends and coworkers were also invited along; one of... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Regina Lasko • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

 Halderman: Dave 
 Bedded '6 or 7' 
 Staffers 

Plus, Letterman's wife Regina Lasko forced him into second apology

Oct 9, 09 8:10 AM CDT
(Newser) - Stephanie Birkitt is getting the most attention, but she's not be the only staffer David Letterman seduced—not by a long shot, says accused extortionist Robert Halderman. Halderman puts the figure at “six or seven,” a friend tells the New York Daily News. “He would fly... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Regina Lasko • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

LETTERMAN ROUNDUP

 Halderman 'Enraged' 
 Over 'Passionate Embrace' 

Alleged extortionist spotted Letterman and Birkitt as recently as August

Oct 8, 09 10:11 AM CDT
(Newser) - David Letterman’s accused extortionist, Robert “Joe” Halderman, is “a great human being “ but “he's positioned as a bad guy,” says friend and former co-worker Dr. Bob Arnot. “No one’s standing up for Joe,” he continues—so, certainly, Halderman must be glad... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

 6 Other 
 Extorted 
 Celebs 



From Cameron Diaz all the way back to the 19th century, Letterman ain't the first

Oct 7, 09 12:10 PM CDT
(Newser) - David Letterman isn’t the first celebrity to be brazenly blackmailed. Mental Floss lists six other notable cases:
  • Cameron Diaz: A photographer who snapped bondage-themed nude photos of the actress threatened to sell them to magazines if she wouldn’t buy them for $3.5 million—he ended up
... More »

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entertainment • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • Elvis Presley • David Letterman • Bill Cosby • Cameron Diaz

 Grandma: Birkitt 
 Never Had Sex 
 With Letterman 

Stephanie Birkitt's grandmother is no fan of Halderman, but seems to like Dave

Oct 7, 09 10:43 AM CDT
(Newser) - Stephanie Birkitt, David Letterman’s galpal, may not be commenting on the extortion scandal—but her 90-year-old grandma is. Birkitt and Letterman “joked and kidded around,” but “they were just good friends,” she tells the New York Post. “She worked for Dave for 11... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • grandmother • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

LETTERMAN ROUNDUP

 Just Wait: 'Trashy' 
 Letterman Letters 
 Are Coming 

Birkitt penned series of 'Dear Dave' letters, plus more on extortion

Oct 7, 09 9:51 AM CDT
(Newser) - It’s only a matter of time before Stephanie Birkitt’s “trashy” love letters to David Letterman become public. Sadly, “we’re not talking crazy sexual escapades,” a source tells the New York Daily News. “It’s her musings about them. It’s trash.”... More »

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entertainment • CBS • sex scandal • sexual harassment • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • TV ratings • love letter • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

 Galpal Cheated 
 on Halderman With Dave 

Stephanie Birkitt was still seeing Letterman until last fall, sources say

Oct 6, 09 10:58 AM CDT
(Newser) - The story of David Letterman’s twisted love triangle with alleged extortionist Robert Halderman continues to unfold. Former Late Show staffer Stephanie Birkitt was still sleeping with Letterman even after moving in with Halderman—and as late as last fall Birkitt and Letterman went hiking together, sources tell the... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • affair • late night talk show • David Letterman • Late Show • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

REACTION ROUNDUP



 Letterman Gets 
 Mostly Raves for 
 Handling Scandal 

Plus: Late Show host did not violate company guidelines with affairs

Oct 6, 09 8:42 AM CDT
(Newser) - Nope, the David Letterman extortion story didn’t lose momentum over the weekend. From fans to fellow talk show hosts, everyone’s still talking:
  • “If we are now holding late-night talk-show hosts to the same moral accountability as we hold politicians or clergymen, I'm out,” said Letterman
... More »

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entertainment • CBS • sex scandal • The View • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • sex in the workplace • Craig Ferguson • Late Show • workplace sex

VIDEO

 Letterman 
 Apologizes 
 to Wife, Staff 
 —and Palin 

Late Show host still glad he pushed back against alleged extortionist

Oct 6, 09 6:31 AM CDT
(Newser) - David Letterman wasn’t planning to talk anymore about his extortion scandal, “but it seems like people want to talk about it,” he said on last night’s Late Show. After apologizing to the staff for subjecting them to “hounding” from reporters, he made it clear... More »

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entertainment • CBS • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • apology • David Letterman • Regina Lasko • Late Show • Robert Halderman

VIDEO

 Letterman 'Manipulating' 
 Audience: Halderman Lawyer 

Robert Halderman's attorney also wonders why Letterman would pay by check

Oct 5, 09 12:30 PM CDT
(Newser) - David Letterman is “a master at manipulating audiences,” and he’s not telling the whole story of the alleged extortion plot by Robert Halderman, says Halderman’s attorney. Gerald Shargel did the talk-show circuit this morning, E! reports, and he pointed out to Today that, “in... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • late night talk show • David Letterman • Late Show • Robert Halderman

ALL THINGS DAVE

 CBS Tries to Bury Letterman Vid 

As network works to erase confessional, more info on extortion, galpal comes out

Oct 5, 09 8:35 AM CDT
(Newser) - For reasons unknown to Rachel Sklar, CBS spent the weekend removing “unauthorized copies” of David Letterman’s confession from YouTube—and still hasn't posted the clip on its own site. “Check your Fair Use rules,” Sklar writes on Mediaite. “Videos of Letterman’s mea culpa don’... More »

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entertainment • sex scandal • celebrity • blackmail • extortion • David Letterman • Robert Halderman • Stephanie Birkitt

 Letterman, Crew 
 Steel for Fallout 

Scandal may hurt talk show king with female audience

Oct 5, 09 3:41 AM CDT
(Newser) - Staffers of the David Letterman show were girding for fallout today before the first two tapings of the program since the talk show king's shocking revelation that he was being blackmailed over sex with female assistants. "We've seen a lot before with Dave," a source told the Daily ... More »

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sex • blackmail • extortion • affair • talk show • David Letterman • workplace sex

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