Timothy Busfield tells grand jury he s – “`html
Timothy Busfield’s Grand Jury Testimony Reveals Actor Feels “Canceled” Amid Child Abuse Claims
Following extensive grand jury proceedings in Albuquerque, New Mexico, veteran performer Timothy Busfield has publicly declared that his professional life is effectively over. The 69-year-old actor and director, celebrated for his work on “Thirtysomething” and “The West Wing,” delivered emotional testimony asserting that despite maintaining employment through various acting and directing positions, he now faces insurmountable barriers to continuing his career.
According to documents secured by USA TODAY through a public records request filed with the district attorney’s office, Busfield addressed twelve grand jury members regarding allegations that have dramatically altered his circumstances. The actor expressed particular concern that the accusations might extend beyond himself to damage his wife, Melissa Gilbert, whose own career and business ventures could suffer collateral consequences.
Background of the Allegations
The legal proceedings stem from four counts of criminal sexual contact involving children, with incidents allegedly occurring between late 2022 and early 2024. During this period, Busfield served as both director and producer on the television series “The Cleaning Lady,” which was being filmed in New Mexico. The accusations involve twin boys whose parents reportedly felt aggrieved after their children were removed from the fourth season of the crime-thriller production.
Busfield maintained in his testimony that the parents orchestrated the situation as an act of retaliation. He claimed they manipulated their sons into fabricating stories of inappropriate contact and subsequently filed complaints that led to his indictment. The actor insisted he never touched the boys in any improper manner and emphasized that other crew members, including the director of photography and various hair and makeup artists, could corroborate that he was never alone with the children on set.
“My career’s done. I’m, I’m canceled. I’ll never, I don’t, I’ll never work again just based on people’s fear that I would do this again and, and even if it wasn’t true, I’m done. I’ve lost TV shows, a movie they’ve digitally replaced me from. My agency fired me. I’m done. This is not about me or a pity thing.”
Timeline of Events
The investigation gained momentum in November 2024 when a staff member at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported concerns about potential grooming behavior. The boys’ mother had brought them for a medical examination after suspecting sexual abuse, though hospital personnel found no physical evidence at that time. Police conducted interviews with the children, who initially stated they had not experienced any sexual misconduct.
A significant development occurred in September when the boys confided in their therapists that abuse had taken place. This revelation prompted a renewed police investigation and ultimately resulted in Busfield’s arrest. The grand jury convened on February 5 and heard more than four hours of testimony from both the actor and Albuquerque Police Officer Marvin Brown before returning the indictment that same afternoon.
“My children, grandchildren, everybody in my life is done because of these false allegations for money and for revenge. These two criminals [the boys’ parents] have ruined me. And my wife and her business, I’m not going to break that.”
Legal Response and Current Status
Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, characterized the indictment as predictable yet fundamentally flawed. Stein argued that the district attorney’s office proceeded with charges despite what he described as an unsound case that cannot withstand scrutiny at trial. On June 18, the defense team submitted a formal motion requesting that the court dismiss the indictment entirely, citing procedural irregularities and misstatements of law during the grand jury proceedings.
Meanwhile, Melissa Gilbert continues to promote her lifestyle brand, Modern Prairie, which she co-founded. With the July 9 Netflix reboot of “Little House on the Prairie,” the former child star has been showcasing prairie-inspired products ranging from $58 hand-carved wood figurines to $128 patchwork denim overalls. Her public presence remains strong despite the ongoing legal challenges facing her husband.
Busfield has maintained silence in public forums regarding the case, though a video obtained by TMZ in January captured him vowing to address the accusations directly. To safeguard the identities of the accusers, USA TODAY has chosen not to publish the names of the boys or their parents, consistent with the publication’s policy regarding survivors of sexual assault.
“`
