Robert Joel Halderman, the CBS News producer who tried to blackmail David Letterman, made a plea deal today that landed him 6 months in Jail time, 1000 hours of community service and 4 1/2 years probation.  Also as part of the deal Halderman must stay away from Letterman for 5 years.

Admitting to attempted grand larceny, Halderman, said he wanted to “put the ordeal behind him” even though his attorney said all along the case would go to trial.

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Halderman’s former girlfriend was Letterman’s assistant and apparently his secret lover too, a relationship that made Halderman furious. He then concocting a plan to get even with Letterman by exposing him as a lecher.  Halderman contacted Letterman threatening to release a screenplay that depicted the Late Night host in numerous compromising situations, sexual situations. He also wanted $2 million dollars.

On Tuesday night, Letterman said on air that the ordeal had made him feel “full of anxiety and nervous and worried.” He then thanked the district attorney’s office and New York Police Department for handling the matter “professionally, skillfully and appropriately.”