NEW YORK (CNN)  -- A CBS producer accused of trying to extort $2 million from "Late Show" host David Letterman pleaded not guilty Friday in a Manhattan courtroom. Robert Joel Halderman pleads not guilty Friday to first-degree attempted grand larceny. The producer, Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman, 51, of Norwalk, Connecticut, allegedly told Letterman last month that he would disclose Letterman's dalliances with his show's staffers unless he paid the money. Halderman is charged with first-degree attempted grand larceny. He has been suspended from his CBS job. Prosecutors at his arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court had sought $500,000 bail, calling Halderman a flight risk.
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Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman charged with attempted grand larceny
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"48 Hours" producer has been suspended from duties at CBS
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Host says someone threatened to reveal sexual relations unless he paid $2 million
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Letterman's dalliances predated his marriage, Worldwide Pants says
Robert Joel Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
Halderman
Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
@placeholder was seen in a car pulling away from the courthouse after the hearing.
Robert Joel Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
Halderman
Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
Shargel said @placeholder has "an impeccable reputation" and has never before been in trouble with the law.
David Letterman
Letterman
Letterman
Letterman
@placeholder acknowledged on his show Thursday night that he'd had sexual relations with members of his staff and that he revealed those liaisons during grand jury testimony for a case involving an attempted extortion.
48 Hours
Morgenthau said Letterman gave Halderman, a producer for the CBS news magazine "@placeholder," a $2 million check Wednesday, and Halderman deposited it in a bank account in Connecticut.
Robert Joel Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
Halderman
Halderman
Robert Joel "Joe" Halderman
Morgenthau said Letterman gave Halderman, a producer for the CBS news magazine "48 Hours," a $2 million check Wednesday, and @placeholder deposited it in a bank account in Connecticut.
Manhattan
According to the indictment, Halderman waited outside Letterman's @placeholder home at 6 a.m. September 9 to deliver the letter and other materials.
David Letterman
Letterman
Letterman
Letterman
"It's been a very bizarre experience," @placeholder said in closing.