Comedian Letterman Gets Serious About Extortion Claims

Late night talk show host David Letterman followed his whimsical monologue Thursday night with a serious disclosure involving sexual affairs and extortion, which led to one man's arrest.

Letterman confessed on The Late Show on CBS that a man, who he did not identify, requested more than $2 million to say quiet about information that the host had been involved in several sexual relationships with women who worked on his show. According to the New York Times, Letterman testified before a grand jury, admitting to the relationships.

After speaking with his attorney, the popular comedian was advised to speak with the extorter and advise him that his plans for financial gain constituted a criminal offense. When the perpetrator did not back down, Letterman reportedly wrote the man a fake check for $2 million.

The suspect, who CBS representatives said was an employee of the news show "48 Hours," was arrested Thursday on charges of attempted grand larceny.

In March, Letterman married his longtime girlfriend Regina Lasko, with whom he has a 6-year-old son.

According to the New York Penal Code, "any person who extorts money or other property…shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three or four years."