Former Letterman Mistress "Mortified," Responds To Extortion

Blackmailer Robert "Joe" Halderman used ex-girlfriend's affair to blackmail Letterman.

Stephanie Birkitt is the woman everybody's after. The 34-year-old has been an employee of The Late Show with David Letterman for over a decade. Her work as Letterman's assistant put her in the spotlight in the past, but never so intensely as now. By Friday the press had word that Birkitt and Letterman had an affair that supposedly ended around Letterman's son's birth in 2003.

According to sources like YourTango and Radar Online, Birkitt is "mortified" at her position as the central figure in the Letterman extortion case. It's reported Birkitt did not know of her ex-boyfriend Joe Halderman's plot against Letterman, and it's being said she recently moved out of Halderman's Connecticut home.

In the past Birkitt has appeared favorably in the spotlight, always talking up Letterman with respect and admiration. YourTango quotes Birkitt in 2002 as saying that Letterman was the best boss she ever had, and in 2003 with, "Aside from being incredibly funny and personable he is generous, kind and is great fun to play catch with. I really couldn't ask for a more fun work environment."

A fun work environment indeed, but now Letterman's saying that he's working hard to protect his family and the people involved in the extortion case.

It's all fun and games until somebody gets blackmailed. Dave, looks like all that catch caught up with you.

What famous reality show does Birkitt's brother produce? Find out here.