Letterman says he was target of extortion attempt over relationships with female staffers

Letterman says he was target of extortion attempt

LOS ANGELES — David Letterman acknowledged on Thursday’s show that he had sexual relationships with female employees and that someone tried to extort him over the affairs.

During the taping of his CBS late-night show in New York, Letterman discussed receiving a threat to either pay $2 million or risk the relationships being made public.

In a release from the show’s producer, Letterman said he referred the matter to the Manhattan district attorney’s office and that an investigation ended in an arrest Thursday. Letterman did not identify the person he said was arrested.

As part of the case, Letterman said in a release that he testified before a grand jury and acknowledged sexual relationships with members of his staff.

CBS spokesman Chris Ender says “Letterman’s comments on the broadcast tonight speak for themselves.”