The TV producer who threatened to go public with embarrassing details about late-night superstar David Letterman's personal life, pleaded guilty Tuesday in exchange for a significantly shorter time behind bars.

Robert Joe Halderman, a 52-year old former CBS News producer, pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny. In return, prosecutors agreed to a six-month jail term and 1,000 hours of community service.

By pleading guilty, Halderman acknowledged that he demanded $2 million from the comedian or else he would go public with information about Letterman's workplace affairs.

Halderman's threat, and the resulting sting that led to his arrest, spurred Letterman to reveal to millions of viewers his serial affairs with women on his staff. That admission, made with Letterman's trademarked irony and self-deprecation, produced one of TV's most remarkable moments in recent memory.