CBS News producer Joe Halderman will appear in a Manhattan court tomorrow for his first hearing regarding the David Letterman extortion scandal, which came to light just over a month ago.

NY Observer's Felix Gillette reports that a quick plea agreement, which has financial benefits for Halderman and would save Letterman further embarrassment, is looking unlikely:

Over the weekend, Dr. Bob Arnot, a friend and former colleague of Mr. Halderman, told The Observer that Mr. Halderman is currently planning to try and take the case all the way to trial. In a recent interview with Newsday's Verne Gay, Mr. Halderman's attorney Gerald Shargel likewise suggested that no plea agreement is in the works.

The Observer also reports that Halderman has raised $100k dollars for his defense thus far.