ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO — Timothy Busfield, the Emmy-winning actor and director, is now in police custody after surrendering to authorities to face allegations of child sex abuse. The 68-year-old turned himself in on Tuesday following the issuance of an arrest warrant late last week.
Actor Claims Innocence in Video Statement
Busfield, best known for his roles in The West Wing and Field of Dreams, traveled to New Mexico to confront the charges. Prior to his surrender, his legal team released a video message in which the actor categorically denied the accusations, calling them "all lies."
"I did not do anything to those little boys," Busfield asserted in the footage. "I’m going to fight it with a great team, and I’m going to be exonerated."
Allegations Stem from TV Set
The charges involve two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor. Authorities allege the incidents involved 11-year-old twin boys while Busfield was directing episodes of the series The Cleaning Lady in 2024. The investigation began in November after a physician reported suspected abuse.
According to the arrest warrant, Busfield admitted in a police interview that it was "highly likely" he touched children on set, describing actions such as tickling or picking them up to prepare them for scenes. However, he maintained that the environment was "playful" and denied any sexual intent.
Defense Alleges "Revenge" Plot
Busfield’s attorney, Larry Stein, argues that the criminal complaint is the result of a vendetta. Stein claims the mother of the accusers vowed to get "revenge" against the director after her sons were fired from the production.
The defense also noted that a prior independent investigation conducted by the show's studio found no evidence to support the claims.
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