(Newser) – the David Letterman blackmail case ended with a guilty plea today, and the Late Night host wasted little time thanking the prosecutors and investigators who nailed Robert Halderman. “I’d never been involved in anything like this in my life, and I was concerned and full of anxiety and nervous and worried,” Letterman said during the taping of tonight’s show. “Well, the matter was resolved today, and it was handled professionally, skillfully and appropriately.”

“I feel great remorse for what I have done,” Halderman, a former CBS News producer, said in court of the $2 million shakedown he attempted last October. he was sentenced to 6 months in jail, 4½ years of probation, and 1,000 hours of community service. he also apologized to Letterman and his family as well as ex Stephanie Birkett.