The West Wing actor Timothy Busfield is facing two felony counts of sexual abuse of a minor in New Mexico.
The case is based on allegations made by two child actors who were on the Fox drama series The Cleaning Lady in 2022. Busfield directed a few of the episodes for the series, including ones that featured the twin boys. One of the children reported to investigators that he had been inappropriately touched on multiple occasions while filming, when he was between 7 and 8 years old. He added that he was terrified of Busfield and was relieved when he was no longer on set.
One of the twins told a counselor and later his pediatrician that Busfield had touched him inappropriately. The other child reportedly said he was uncomfortable with physical contact but remained silent out of fear of getting into trouble.
Albuquerque police records reveal that Busfield was interviewed on the phone in November. The affidavit claimed that during the call, the West Wing actor allegedly admitted that physical contact, such as picking up or tickling the two boys, was likely. He explained that he did not remember doing those things, but he wouldn’t be surprised if he did. He added that since the children’s parents were around, it wasn’t “weird.“
I don’t remember those boys. No, I don’t. I don’t actually, I don’t remember if it happened. I don’t remember overtly tickling the boys ever, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for me.
The police said that Busfield claimed he had been told by The Cleaning Lady’s lead actor, Elodie Yung, that the boys’ mother was upset because they were not asked to return for the show’s final season. He said that he believed the mom told her children to lie as a form of “revenge.” Yung, however, declined to speak with the authorities or press regarding the matter. She said that she did not want to get involved.
Busfield is the most well-known for his role as Danny Concannon on The West Wing. He has also been featured in Field of Dreams and Revenge of the Nerds.
- Release Date
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1999 – 2006-00-00
- Directors
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Thomas Schlamme