(GettyImages.com)

Oh, there’s more late night drama…

A judge just refused to dismiss the case against David Letterman‘s alleged extortionist Robert “Joe” Halderman.

As you’ll recall, Halderman, accused of trying to shake down Letterman for $2 million, asked a New York judge to toss the extortion case, having claimed he wasn’t blackmailing Letterman. Halderman asserted that he was simply trying to sell the late-night talk show host a screenplay — about Letterman (and his dirty secrets). The “sale,” of course, was in exchange for Halderman’s silence.

Today, Manhattan state Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon ruled against Halderman’s attempt to have the case dismissed, and noted in his decision that whether this was business or blackmail it “is a classic example of an issue that is best left for a trial jury to decide.”

So the case is going forward and, if convicted, Halderman could face up to 15 years in prison.

Gossip Cop would like to know in the comments section what you think will be the final scene in this “screenplay.”

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter for updates, and visit GossipCop.com for the MOST accurate celebrity news!

(GettyImages.com)

As you may recall, the TV producer, Robert “Joe” Halderman, accused of trying to shake down David Letterman for $2 million, asked a New York judge to dismiss the extortion charge because Halderman claimed last month that he wasn’t blackmailing Letterman. Rather, he asserted that he was trying to sell the late-night talk show host a screenplay — about Letterman (and his dirty secrets).

At the time the case first went before the judge, Halderman’s attorney said, “There was no extortion. There was a screenplay for sale… There was a commercial transaction. Nothing more.”

Well, today prosecutors in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office urged the judge to reject Halderman’s claim that his money for screenplay/silence wasn’t a crime.

And it seemingly looks worse for Halderman because prosecutors noted today in a filing that the TV producer told Letterman’s attorney that he needed cash to visit his son and would disguise the transaction by saying it was a business deal.

Gossip Cop would like to know in the comments section if you believe this was extortion or a legitimate attempt by Halderman to sell Letterman a script.

Follow @GossipCop on Twitter and check GossipCop.com for the most accurate celebrity news!

What was his reasoning?

Get this: He claimed he wasn’t trying to extort Letterman. Rather, he was trying to sell the late-night talk show host a screenplay — about Letterman (and his dirty secrets). 

Halderman’s attorney said, “There was no extortion. There was a screenplay for sale… There was a commercial transaction. Nothing more.” Letterman’s attorney countered, “It’s classic blackmail, no matter how Mr. Halderman’s lawyer wants to dress it up.”

Gossip Cop would like to know what you think.

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(GettyImages.com)

The David Letterman case is set to begin today in a New York courthouse, and the TV producer, Robert “Joe” Halderman, accused of trying to extort the late-night talk show host, is expected – via his attorney – to ask that the case be dismissed.

Halderman’s lawyer plans to challenge whether the evidence against his client is sufficient, and is set to ask the judge to drop Halderman’s attempted first-degree grand larceny charge.

Relax, this is pretty much standard practice in criminal cases.

On Sept. 9, Halderman allegedly left a package in Letterman’s car that contained a letter, a synopsis for a screenplay (filled with personal information) that threatened to have the “Late Show” host’s world “collapse around him,” various personal photos, and portions of a diary belonging to Stephanie Birkitt, Halderman’s ex-girlfriend with whom Letterman had a long-term sexual relationship.

(As you may recall, Gossip Cop exclusively nabbed an impromptu interview with Letterman and Birkitt four years ago at the Emmys.)

In exchange for keeping quiet, Halderman wanted $2 million in hush money, a demand that authorities had tape recorded.

Last month, Letterman publicly (and painfully) acknowledged that he had sex with some of his female staffers.

Halderman, a producer for CBS’ “48 Hours Mystery,” pleaded not guilty, but if convicted he could face five t0 15 years in the slammer.

Gossip Cop will update you as the case unfolds.

For the most accurate celebrity reporting, check out GossipCop.com and follow us on Twitter – @GossipCop

(CBSNews.com)

The latest twist in the David Letterman “sextortion” scandal isn’t true.

Late this afternoon TMZ reported that Stephanie Birkitt, the woman at the center of the storm, has “been banned from setting foot on the CBS set where the ‘Late Show’ is filmed.” The site goes on to say, “sources tell TMZ that security at CBS is well aware of Birkitt’s ban from the set.”

We doubt that, because there’s no such ban.

A spokesman for Letterman tells Gossip Cop exclusively that there is no truth to the story, adding “Stephanie is on a paid leave of absence.”

For the latest in accurate celebrity reporting, follow us on Twitter – @GossipCop.

(GettyImages.com)

It was another wild week in Hollywood! Let’s take a look:

THE GOOD

The two biggest stars in the “Twilight” constellation will be coming to screens near you in new roles. Gossip Cop confirmed that Robert Pattinson will STILL – contrary to Internet whispers – be involved in the upcoming “Bel Ami” (although not in another rumored role), and Kristen Stewart will be tapped by director James Woods for the lead in “An American Girl,” with her camp giving Gossip Cop exclusive confirmation and comments.

And while some mags had to settle for making nasty claims about Stewart, Interview actually got to speak with her, and we showed some behind-the-scenes video from her cover photo shoot.

We also confirmed that producers are planning to arrange a special United Kingdom fan event with cast members for “New Moon” before the film’s world premiere in Los Angeles. We hope to have new details as soon as possible.

THE BAD

This spot isn’t necessarily reserved for Perez Hilton, but “Scoop” managed this week to be wrong about casting, sexuality, philanthropy, and pregnancy. He hit for the cycle!

Hilton first demonstrated his talent for publishing anything that hits his inbox without checking the facts when he ran with a story about Lindsay Lohan signing on to “Celebrity Big Brother.” (Yeah, she’s not.)

Then he blasted Bob Dylan as a “sell-out” for pairing with a bank on his upcoming Christmas album, even scrawling “I [heart] $$$” on his picture. Um, Perez? Every single penny is going to charity. Oops.

What about Derek Hough? “Hold onto your skirt there, hun!” snipes Perez, who tauntingly asks, “Is it dark in that closet of yours, Derek?” According to the blogger, the Dancing with the Stars performer is a “gayface.” Not surprisingly, Perez provides . . . zero evidence. Once again, Perez can’t get his facts straight – like Hough. 

Finally, Journalism’s Joker made Mariah Carey pregnant. Battling medical science and his own track record in this area, Perez examined a photo of Carey performing and decided that she’s with child. And . . . she’s not. Gossip Cop can’t wait until Doc Hilton reports pregnancies for Betty White and Cloris Leachman next week!

THE UGLY

The week’s most stunning story was David Letterman‘s “sextortion” drama. While everyone scrambled to make heads or tails of the shocker, Gossip Cop remembered a weird personal moment from the Emmys four years ago - when we stumbled upon and interviewed both Letterman and Stephanie Birkitt, the woman now at the center of the scandal. They did seem to have a particular closeness.

(Access Hollywood)

Just about four years ago – on September 18, 2005 – when Gossip Cop was a producer at Access Hollywood, I was stuck in legendary Los Angeles traffic en route to the 57^th Annual Emmy Awards. At a certain point, fearing that I would be late, I jumped out of the car and started hoofing it as fast as I could in my tuxedo to the Shrine Auditorium for the ceremony.

About three blocks away, I saw David Letterman, dressed in shorts and smoking a cigar, briskly walking away from the auditorium. With him was a woman dressed in black. That was Stephanie Birkitt, Letterman’s former assistant, with whom he had a sexual relationship, and who later took up with “48 Hours” producer Robert “Joe” Halderman, the alleged exortionist who reportedly used her diary and e-mails as proof of her relationship with Letterman in an effort to squeeze the talk-show host out of $2 million.

As I passed Letterman, who was to honor the late Johnny Carson that evening, I heard him mutter to Birkitt, “I’m not going in, I’m not going in” before plopping himself down on a nearby bus bench.

Surprised by what I had heard and seen, I had a cameraman from Access meet me at the bus stop, where I asked Letterman if I could ask him a few questions. He couldn’t have been more gracious.

First I asked Letterman what the heck he was doing on the bench with minutes to go before the Emmys. Letterman, seated next to Birkett, replied, “We’re just waiting on the bus.” Birkitt then added, “We’re actually about to go in.”

When I then asked Letterman why he wasn’t suited up in a tux, he joked that he was going to wear his shorts that evening: “This is it, this is… pretty expensive this is like an Armani,” before being cut off by Birkett, who said, “Are you ready?”

Birkett clearly enjoyed such a closeness with Letterman that she felt comfortable cutting him off while being interviewed on camera.

That was then. Now Gossip Cop hears that their sexual relationship ended before he married longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko in March 2009.

Gossip Cop also hears that there have been no recorded issues of sexual harassment. Letterman owns the production company behind “Late Show,” Worldwide Pants, and an inside source tells us there have been ZERO complaints.

As for how the talk show host is doing amidst the controversy, the source told Gossip Cop, “Eh, not so well.”

Remember to follow us on Twitter – @GossipCop for the latest in accurate celebrity news reporting!

(Associated Press)

There’s new video out of Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau discussing details behind the bombshell David Letterman blackmail case. Gossip Cop will be covering the story as new information comes to light. We like sticking to facts, of course, so for now take a look at what prosecutors are saying.

Developing …