It was a long shot.  But it was a long shot that a desperate defendant, Robert “Joe” Halderman (CBS News producer who allegedly blackmailed David Letterman), felt he had to take.

Halderman is being charged with attempted first-degree grand larceny for allegedly attempting to squeeze $2 million from David Letterman by threatning to make public letters and photos that were irrefutable proof of affairs the late night talk show host had with female interns on his staff. It was later discovered that one of those interns was Halderman’s own live-in girlfriend.

Halderman’s attorney, Gerald Shargel, requested that the case be dismissed because Halderman’s case was exactly like that of Rachel Uchetel (one of Tiger Woods‘ many mistresses who supposedly received hush money from Woods to keep the details of their relationship out of the media eye).  Shargel claims his client tried, similarly, to be compensated for his silence and, therefor, should not have been charged.

The judge (Manhattan State Supreme Court Justice Charles Solomon) gave his response in court earlier today:  MOTION DENIED.

The case will go to trail.  As the saying goes, lawyer up.

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