U.S. News
Busfield Released as Stage Parents Face Scrutiny
Clear Facts
- Timothy Busfield appeared in a New Mexico court facing charges of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse.
- His legal team argues the parents of the accusers have a history of fraud and financial motive.
- The judge authorized Busfield’s release from custody under specific conditions as he awaits trial.
Actor Timothy Busfield, age 68, turned himself in to authorities following an arrest warrant on charges involving alleged criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse.
He was initially held without bail before appearing in court in New Mexico.
Busfield’s legal team claims the parents of the twin accusers, Ronald Rodis and Angele LaSalle, are motivated by financial gain and retaliation, describing them as “stage parents.”
The defense stated in court documents that the allegations surfaced only after the twins lost their acting roles and after the family sought civil counsel.
“Their allegations emerged only after the loss of the twins’ role — and only after consultation with civil counsel — creating an obvious financial and retaliatory motive,” the documents stated.
Ronald Rodis is a former attorney who was convicted of federal conspiracy and wire fraud and later disbarred after a multimillion-dollar scheme.
He pleaded guilty in 2017, was sentenced to 41 months, and was ordered to pay restitution nearing $4 million.
During the hearing, Amber Fayerberg, representing Busfield, argued, “There are victims, and they were still these two boys. But they weren’t victimized by Tim Busfield. They were victimized by their own parents, who no longer could make money as a lawyer disbarred, no longer could write bad checks, taking 85% of the money they made on a TV show, and then manufacture into victims as revenge.”
The charges against Busfield are based on accusations that he touched the children inappropriately on the set of “The Cleaning Lady.”
One twin described an incident involving Busfield while alone in a bedroom on the set, alleging inappropriate touching over clothing. Hospital professionals later advised the parents that the children had signs of being “groomed.”
The state also referenced a past accusation involving actress Claudia Christian, who claimed Busfield “forcibly grabbed her and threw her against the wall” during work on “The Strays,” according to her report to an assistant director.
Busfield’s legal team countered the prosecution’s arguments by stating the state’s case relies “almost entirely on the accounts of two stage parents.”
In support of Busfield, 87 letters were submitted by supporters attesting “he would never do this.”
The court ordered Busfield released on his own recognizance, requiring him to attend all future court dates and barring any contact with minors or witnesses connected to the case.
“You’re authorized for release on your own recognizance with the conditions that you appear at all future court settings,” Judge David Murphy said. “You have not violated any laws.”
Busfield also underwent a psychosexual evaluation prior to the hearing and was deemed “very low risk” after review.
The next court date is set for February 4, and Busfield is prohibited from contacting children under 18 and barred from discussing the case with any witnesses.
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