DA: Letterman suspect sought to mask blackmail

NEW YORK -- Prosecutors say a TV producer accused of trying to blackmail David Letterman told the comedian's lawyer that he needed money to visit his son and would mask the transaction as a business deal.

The Manhattan district attorney's office on Tuesday urged a judge to reject Robert "Joe" Halderman's claims that his conduct wasn't a crime.

Halderman wants a judge to toss out the attempted grand larceny case, which prompted the "Late Show" host to acknowledge sexual affairs with staffers.

Prosecutors say Halderman demanded $2 million in hush money after issuing a threat styled as a movie synopsis exposing Letterman's personal life. Halderman says he was simply shopping a screenplay.

Halderman's lawyer had no immediate response to Tuesday's filing.