What to David Letterman and Herman Thomas have in common? Both allegedly misused their staff. Letterman is different than some unfaithful spouses. He has at least publicly admitted his shortcomings. However, consistency is not necessarily his strong point. For example, after last week saying that he won't publicly discuss his sexual relationships with staffers again, Letterman was back at his media strategy last night, this time apologizing to his wife who, he said, had been "horribly hurt by my behavior."
Can he repair his relationship with Regina Lasko? "Either you're going to make some progress and get it fixed, or you're going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed, so let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me," said Letterman.
His opening monologue included: "I mean, I'll be honest with you folks," he said. "Right now, I would give anything to be hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I got in the car this morning -- and the navigation lady wasn't speaking to me."
In the mean time, the extortion prosecution continues. The CBS Producer has pleaded not guilty. Indictment against Halderman . The 62-year-old Letterman claimed Halderman said he would publicly reveal Letterman's affair with staff members unless he was paid $2 million.
Can he repair his relationship with Regina Lasko? "Either you're going to make some progress and get it fixed, or you're going to fall short and perhaps not get it fixed, so let me tell you folks, I got my work cut out for me," said Letterman.
His opening monologue included: "I mean, I'll be honest with you folks," he said. "Right now, I would give anything to be hiking on the Appalachian Trail. I got in the car this morning -- and the navigation lady wasn't speaking to me."
In the mean time, the extortion prosecution continues. The CBS Producer has pleaded not guilty. Indictment against Halderman . The 62-year-old Letterman claimed Halderman said he would publicly reveal Letterman's affair with staff members unless he was paid $2 million.
Letterman has dated Regina Lasko since 1986. The couple have a five year old son but just recently married in March. All the affairs apparently took place before the marriage.
Robert "Joe" Halderman is a CBS veteran and a producer for the network's news magazine "48 Hours." He pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree attempted grand larceny. Even though he has been suspended from his job, Halderman must be considered innocent unless otherwise proven in a court of law. He could face up to 15 years in prison. He is represented by
Gerald Shargel. Letterman concluded his public apology with the following, "Ladies and gentleman, this is only phase one of the scandal," he joked. "Phase two? Next week I go on 'Oprah' and sob."
Gerald Shargel. Letterman concluded his public apology with the following, "Ladies and gentleman, this is only phase one of the scandal," he joked. "Phase two? Next week I go on 'Oprah' and sob."
Like Letterman, former judge Herman Thomas apparently also has a "staff problem." Despite a good political record, the Democrat finds himself in hot water down in Alabama. He was thought to be a front runner for a federal judgeship until allegations surfaced that he brought inmates to his office and spanked them with a paddle. An indictment accuses him of sexually abusing male inmates in exchange for leniency. A trial on charges of sodomy, kidnapping, sex abuse, extortion, assault and ethics violations is set to start next week.
Thomas resigned from the bench in 2007 when allegations he spanked inmates with a paddle surfaced. Thomas resigned prior to a judicial ethics trial that could have removed him from office. This past spring, Mobile County grand jury indicted Thomas on charges including sodomy and kidnapping. If convicted, Thomas could face up to 20 years in prison. In 2001, an inmate claimed the judge offered to help him with his case in return for sex. Two lawsuits against the judge were subsequently dismissed.
Chief Assistant District Attorney Nicki Patterson began scrutinizing Thomas after he changed a jail sentence in 2006 for his cousin, former Mobile County school commissioner David Thomas. (The case was actually handled by another judge.) Other cases that Thomas had allegedly taken over from other judges soon surfaced. There were allegations of inmates having to pull down their underwear for spankings with a wooden paddle. These allegations were followed by claims of oral and anal sex. Defense attorney Robert "Cowboy Bob" Clark calls the accusers "lying felons" who are trying to wreck the career of "a prestigious member of the Bar for over 20 years." The NAACP claims race is behind Thomas' prosecution.
But the alleged victims are black. According to the prosecution, jail checkout records back up inmates' claims about trips to Thomas' private office. There is an accusation that one inmate's seminal fluid was detected on the office carpet. Are the allegations true? That is what trials are for, to seek the truth. In the mean time, both cases may illustrate a growing problem with the abuse of power in high places. Subordinates should not feel that the only way to advance or gain favor with a superior is to engage in sex. Our country should be moving away from such abusive archaic notions that the way to advance forward is to bend over. But of course, keep in mind that all suspects are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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12 comments:
Here Cums the judge?
Just plain sleazy. That is all it is!
It makes since...busy people (doctors, lawyers, actors etc)date their coworkers cause thats who they spend the most time with.
When you work 80 plus hours a week, that doesnt leave much time to socialize and meet people.
Daves wife was also a former staffer. I dont think there's anything wrong with that.
Bill Gates wife worked for him before they wed. Who cares?
Dave didnt misused his staff. He had consensual sex with a grown woman.
Even if Dave promised her a promotion, SHE still made the decision to have sex. Informed consent. She can’t participate in a so-called “wrong doing” and put all the blame on Dave.
BTW, where's the picture of the extortioner in Daves case? Was race behind this decision too?? LOL
Thomas is innocent until PROVEN guilty!! Since when are we trusting people that would say anything to reduce their sentence?
Thomas didn’t misuse his staff. Inmates aren’t staff.
Race cant be ruled out as a motivation behind this prosecution.
In Thomas' case, I think the staff that L.P. is referring to is the staff that he should have kept zippered up in his pants. LOL.
Jester
The large problem is that men can't keep their member in their pants.
The large problem is that men can't keep their member in their pants.
And apparently female staffers cant keep their legs closed
I think there is a lot more to come out about both of these cases.
Letterman better work very hard to correct his admitted misconduct or it may very well cost him a whole lot more than $2 million. At this point though, Letterman's sexual indiscretions really aren't the issue the alleged extortion is the issue.
In the other case, I personally find it hard to believe people who testify to get some benefit such as a reduction in their sentence. Having said that if I'm willing to think they would lie in court to get a cut in their sentence doesn't it stand to reason they might also perform sexual favors too? I don't know enough about the Thomas case to say much about it specifically; however, if an inmate's semen was indeed found in judge's chambers someone has some splainin to do.
Jester as usual u crack me up!
Secrets, good points. We can't just blame the guys. This type of behavior will always go on because there will always be women who will unfairly move-up the ladder (you know what I mean). I've seen and I think most women have seen it. I agree that high-powered men like these have little time for outside dating and it's just comfortable and easy to become emotionally involved with those whom you spend 40-80 hours a week with. My question in all this and I haven't heard anyone address it is ... Why did he marry after 23 years of dating? Why, did he commit and then (according to the allegations) resumed a relationship with his assistant?
Ms.Calabaza and Secrets, I agree that men aren't the only ones responsible for on the job relationships, in most cases it's a 2-way street. I do however think anyone, male or female, who involves themselves with a subordinate at work puts themselves at risk of having trouble in the work place and not just with their "friend".
That's a good question why DL would marry after 23 years of dating just to screw around after(if that's true). Doesn't make sense. I wonder if he asks himself the same question now.
As I said above, that behavior may just cost him a lot more than $2 million if he can't fix things with his wife.
katfish: I think he will have to pay big time. Any one of his staff who ever considered a sexual harrasment suit will be calling their attorneys now...
David Letterman doesn't need help with dating... he needs help to stop dating!
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