Authorities in New Mexico released audio of actor Timothy Busfield telling a detective that he never engaged in sexual conduct with two young boys on the set of 'The Cleaning Lady' and called the allegations 'disgusting.' The audio, obtained by NBC affiliate KOB of Albuquerque, is from a November phone call between Busfield and a detective investigating a child's report about alleged misconduct on the set.
A grand jury in Bernalillo County indicted Busfield, 68, in February on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child. The indictment alleges the contact occurred on multiple occasions from 2022 to 2024. Busfield and his attorneys have denied the allegations, describing them as a revenge plot by the boys' parents, who they claim were upset after the children lost their roles in the show.
A judge ordered Busfield released on his own recognizance in January while he awaits trial. His attorney, Stanton 'Larry' Stein, called the audio 'completely exculpatory,' stating that Busfield would not have spoken to police if he had done anything wrong. In the recorded call, Busfield acknowledged that he may have picked up or tickled the boys, describing his interactions as playful and awkward but not sexual. He compared his role to that of a coach, emphasizing a professional relationship.
Busfield's wife, actor Melissa Gilbert, identified herself as a former child actor and suggested that friendly interactions with young performers were standard practice.