A TV producer has denied trying to blackmail US chat show host David Letterman over affairs with members of staff.
The investigation prompted the host of Late Show with David Lettermanto admit in an extraordinary monologue before millions of viewers that he had sexual relationships with female employees.
Robert Halderman, a producer for the CBS show 48 Hours, allegedly demanded $2 million for keeping quiet about the flings, said prosecutors.
Mr Halderman appeared at New York State Supreme Court charged with grand larceny. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years if convicted.
"His actions reflect desperation that is alarming and dangerous," prosecutor Judy Salwen said.
Mr Halderman, who faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted, was shackled with his hands behind his back during the hearing. The judge set bail at $200,000. "He denies the allegations," said Gerald Shargel, Mr Halderman's lawyer. "This story is far more complex than what you heard this afternoon."
District Attorney Robert Morgenthau said earlier today that Mr Halderman left a letter and other material for Letterman, whose show also is on the CBS network, earlier this month saying that he needed "to make a large chunk of money" by selling Letterman a screenplay treatment.
Mr Morgenthau said the letter told Letterman that his world was "about to collapse around him" when information about his private life is disclosed. He said it would lead to "a ruined reputation" and severe damage to his professional and family life.
He said Letterman immediately contacted his lawyer, who arranged a meeting with Halderman. At the meeting, Halderman demanded the money for not releasing the material. After the meeting, Letterman and his lawyer contacted the DA's office and the investigation began.
Letterman admitted the affairs to millions of viewers during his show last night. His studio audience appeared uncertain about whether Letterman was joking as he launched into his revelations. Letterman, who is married with a six-year-old son, told his audience he got in his car early in the morning and found a package with a letter saying "I know that you do some terrible, terrible things and that I can prove you do some terrible things". He said the letter contained proof
"I was worried for myself, I was worried for my family," he said. "I felt menaced by this and I had to tell them all of the creepy things that I had done.
"The creepy stuff was that I have had sex with women who work for me on this show. My response to that is yes, I have. Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Yes, it would, especially for the women."
Letterman married long-time companion Regina Lasko in March. They have a son born in 2003. Letterman, who was married once before, is intensely private, and is rarely photographed with his family.
Shortly after his wedding, he said on the show: "I had avoided getting married pretty good for, like, 23 years, and I - honestly, whether this happened or not - I secretly felt that men who were married admired me ... like I was the last of the real gunslingers."
Known for his comic Top 10 lists on current events, Letterman has been hosting the late night talk show since 1993. One of his guests last week was President Barack Obama.