A judge has dismissed criminal charges against actor and director Timothy Busfield, citing prosecutorial misconduct during the grand jury proceedings.
Key facts
- •Timothy Busfield was indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child in early 2026.
- •Judge Joseph Montano ruled that prosecutors violated grand jury statutes by blocking access to requested witnesses.
- •The allegations involved twin child actors who worked on the Fox series The Cleaning Lady.
- •Busfield’s defense team argued the accusations were retaliatory following the recasting of the children.
- •The judge’s ruling allows prosecutors the possibility of filing new charges in the future.
A New Mexico judge has dismissed the child sexual abuse case against actor Timothy Busfield, ruling that Albuquerque prosecutors engaged in misconduct during the grand jury process. The 69-year-old had been indicted on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child following allegations involving twin actors on the set of the television series The Cleaning Lady. Judge Joseph Montano voided the indictment on Friday, citing a failure to act in a fair and impartial manner.
Prosecutorial Misconduct Allegations
The dismissal stemmed from a motion filed by Busfield’s attorneys in June, which argued that the prosecutor failed to act as a neutral aide to the grand jury. According to court records, the grand jury requested to hear from additional witnesses on three separate occasions, but prosecutors only presented testimony from the lead detective and Busfield himself. Judge Montano noted that the prosecution’s failure to call these witnesses violated statutes intended to protect the integrity of the grand jury system.
Background of the Case
The investigation into Busfield began in November 2024 after a University of New Mexico physician reported allegations of abuse to police. The charges were formally filed earlier this year after Busfield surrendered to authorities. Busfield, who served as an executive producer and director on The Cleaning Lady between 2022 and 2024, has consistently denied the accusations, labeling them as lies. His legal team has claimed the allegations were motivated by vengeance from the children's parents after the boys were recast for the show's fourth season. A Warner Bros. investigation into the incident reportedly produced no evidence, and Busfield’s attorneys stated he passed a polygraph test.
Potential for Future Legal Action
While the current indictment has been voided, the dismissal does not permanently resolve the legal matter. Judge Montano’s ruling leaves the door open for the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Office to initiate new criminal proceedings against Busfield. During his grand jury testimony, Busfield described the impact of the accusations on his professional life, stating that he had been fired by his agency and replaced in film and television projects.
Timeline
- November 2024Albuquerque officials launched an investigation into Busfield.
- January 2026Timothy Busfield was arrested following allegations of misconduct.
- June 2026Busfield’s attorneys filed a motion to quash the indictment.
- FridayJudge Joseph Montano dismissed the case due to prosecutorial misconduct.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone, Hollywood Reporter.
