Emmy-winning actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted by a New Mexico grand jury on multiple counts of child sex abuse, with his attorney claiming the prosecution’s case has “fatal weaknesses” in evidence. The indictment, unsealed on Friday, charges Busfield with four counts of criminal sexual contact of a child, as announced by Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. These charges stem from allegations that Busfield inappropriately touched child actors on the set of the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady,” which he directed and produced in Albuquerque.
Busfield, 68, known for roles in “The West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” was arrested in January after turning himself in to authorities. He was initially held without bond but was ordered released by Judge David Murphy pending trial, following a detention hearing where the judge cited his lack of criminal history and compliance with court orders. The grand jury indictment supersedes the earlier charges, which included two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse.
According to court documents, the allegations involve two boys who worked with Busfield on “The Cleaning Lady.” One boy, under the age of 13, alleged that Busfield touched his intimate parts between October 2022 and September 2023. The boys told authorities that Busfield, whom they called “Uncle Tim,” groomed them and engaged in inappropriate touching over several years. One victim stated he was scared to speak out due to fear of Busfield’s reaction.
In response to the indictment, Busfield’s civil attorney, Stanton “Larry” Stein, issued a statement calling the case “fundamentally unsound” and asserting that it cannot be proven at trial. Stein pointed to the detention hearing, which he said exposed “fatal weaknesses” in the state’s evidence, including gaps that charging decisions cannot fix. He suggested the prosecution might be driven by factors other than facts or law.
Busfield’s defense team has vigorously denied the allegations, arguing that they were manufactured after the children were terminated from the series. During the January hearing, defense lawyer Amber Fayerberg submitted over 70 character letters vouching for Busfield’s integrity and noted that he passed a polygraph test related to the accusations. Fayerberg argued that Busfield had been “cancelled” and lost professional opportunities due to the allegations, not because of any wrongdoing.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Busfield’s public profile and the serious nature of the charges. District Attorney Bregman emphasized that protecting children is a top priority for his office, and the case will be handled by the special victims unit. The felony charges carry a potential penalty of up to six years in prison per count if convicted.
Looking ahead, Busfield is expected to plead not guilty and contest the charges at trial. His legal team anticipates a rigorous defense, focusing on challenging the evidence and witness credibility. The trial date has not yet been set, but proceedings will continue in the Bernalillo County court system, with both sides preparing for what could be a lengthy legal battle.
