By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MAHATTAN SUPREME COURT — The lawyer for a CBS producer accused of extorting talk show host David Letterman told a Manhattan judge Tuesday his client was just trying to pursue a legitimate screenplay deal.
Robert Halderman's lawyer, Gerald Shargel, asked the judge to dismiss the charges in the high-profile extortion case. Manhattan Supreme Court judge Charles Solomon won't answer the motion until Jan. 19.
Halderman, 51, wore a black suit and green tie as he stood silently in front of 100 Centre Street while Shargel fielded questions from reporters.
"This was a commercial transaction that did not violate the penal law," Shargel said.
Letterman's lawyers also appeared outside the court house after Halderman and his attorney departed in a dark sedan.
"It's classic blackmail no matter how Mr. Halderman's lawyer wants to dress it up," Letterman's lawyer Daniel Horwitz said.
Halderman is accused of trying to blackmail Letterman about alleged affairs with female staffers on the "Late Show." Letterman admitted to have sex with women that worked for him the day before prosecutors unveiled the case last month.
"Mr. Letterman is fully prepared to see this case through to the end, including testifying," Horwitz added.
Halderman was indicted on a charge of attempted grand larceny last month and was suspended from his job by CBS.
Shargel declined to comment about his client's recent suspension at CBS, but said he is looking forward to confronting Letterman about the charges.
"I think any lawyer who has been out of law school for 15 minutes would be anxious to cross-examine Mr. Letterman," Shargel said.
Halderman, a producer for CBS' "48 Hours Mystery," has pleaded not guilty. He could face five to 15 years in prison if convicted.
