A judge in New Mexico has thrown out a case against Timothy Busfield, the actor from “West Wing” and “Field of Dreams,” which accused him of criminal sexual contact with a child. The judge cited misconduct and errors by prosecutors that harmed the grand jury process. State District Judge Joseph Montano granted a defense request to dismiss the charges, with Busfield maintaining his innocence and claiming the accusations were driven by revenge.
The allegations stem from Busfield’s time directing the TV series “The Cleaning Lady” between 2022 and 2024. Parents of twin boys who were part of the show alleged that Busfield inappropriately touched the children on set in Albuquerque, New Mexico. According to a complaint filed in January, one of the boys reported that Busfield touched him inappropriately when he was seven and eight years old.
While the boy’s twin brother also mentioned being touched by Busfield, he did not provide specific details out of fear of getting into trouble. Busfield surrendered himself and was released on bail pending trial, with the judge noting no prior history of such allegations against him. Subsequently, a grand jury indicted Busfield on multiple counts related to the alleged incidents, allowing the case to proceed without a preliminary hearing.
Busfield’s legal team argued that the children initially denied any inappropriate touching by Busfield and accused their parents of influencing their statements after losing roles on the show. Defense attorneys highlighted prosecutorial misconduct, alleging that prosecutors obstructed the grand jury process and ignored key evidence.
During court proceedings, Busfield expressed how the case had negatively impacted his life and career, leading to job loss and agency termination. He vehemently denied the allegations against him, emphasizing that they were entirely false. Prosecutors previously stated that each count in the indictment could carry a maximum penalty of six years in prison.
The decision to dismiss the charges raises questions about potential future legal actions against Busfield, as prosecutors did not immediately indicate whether they would pursue a new indictment. The case has garnered significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the accusations and Busfield’s prominent career in the entertainment industry.
