from www.twirlit.com – Late last week David Letterman admitted to his Late Night audience that he had had more than a few sexual affairs with staff members over the years. The reason for the moment of honesty? Extortion. A then anonymous source had tried to blackmail Letterman out of $2 million in exchange for keeping secret the “misdeeds” of the popular Late Night host. However, Letterman stepped out in front of the charge and addressed them head-on, taking any leverage the would-be extortionist may have had. Furthermore, authorities were able to setup a sting operation, discover the name of the perpetrator, Joe Halderman, and arrest him later that day.

Since then inquisitive minds have been in search for Letterman’s alleged affairs, and they haven’t come up empty handed. First up, Stephanie Birkett, a 34-year-old former staffer. Birkett had joined the Late Show in 1997, and sometime between then and 2003 had had a relationship with Letterman. It has also come to light that Birkett had kept a diary during that time, a diary that it now appears got into the hands of Joe Halderman (the extortionist). In fact, some sources are reporting the two, Birkett and Halderman, were dating when this whole incident occurred (i.e. last week).

Unsurprising, as Birkett now seems to have been marked with the “famous-for-sleeping-with-a-celebrity” status, she has since been offered the cover of Playboy. No word yet, though, if she has accepted or rejected the offer.

Also reported to have slept with Letterman? Former staffer Holly Hester, who claims to have had a relationship with the Late Night host during the ’90s.