Newly released court documents in New Mexico concerning actor Timothy Busfield’s child sexual abuse case reveal that similar allegations were previously made against him at a Californian theater he co-founded with his brother in 1986.
This fresh accusation is detailed in a filing by Bernalillo County prosecutors, who are advocating for the Emmy-winning actor to remain detained without bail, as reported by KOAT.
Busfield voluntarily surrendered earlier this week following charges of inappropriate contact with twin boys he directed for the television series “The Cleaning Lady,” according to a report by CrimeOnline.
The 68-year-old is widely recognized for his performances in “The West Wing” and “thirtysomething,” earning him an Emmy for Best Supporting Actor in 1991.
The allegations against Busfield span incidents purportedly occurring from 2022 to 2024. An internal investigation by Warner Bros. concluded without uncovering any evidence of misconduct by Busfield.
During an interview with Albuquerque police, the criminal complaint notes that Busfield acknowledged it was “highly likely” he might have touched the children, attributing it to the “playful environment” on set.
“I mean, I’m always around people, right? It would be, you know, in front of the parents. There would never be a weird moment about it,” Busfield told police during a November 2025 interview with police.
Busfield also allegedly claimed that the mother of the children was upset when she learned her kids would not be returning to the show for its final season.
The new allegation involves a 16-year-old girl who was auditioning for Busfield’s B Street Theatre in Sacramento, the filing says. The girl’s father says that Busfield abused the girl “several years ago,” claiming that he “kissed her, put his hands down her pants and touched her privates,” the documents say.
“The defendant begged the family to not report to law enforcement if he received therapy” according to the filing.
The girl’s father, who was a therapist, agreed, the documents say. He “thought at the time that was the best thing to do.”
B Street Theatre released a statement on Tuesday noting that “Busfield does not have any role presently with B Street Theatre” having left the organization in 2001 except to be listed as “an emeritus member of the board.”
“However he has not attended a board meeting in that capacity since 2001,” the theater said.
The theater conducted an internal investigation about Busfield the very same year he withdrew from direct work with the organization, the Mercury News reported.
Busfield and his brother Buck Busfield founded the theater as Theatre for Children in 1986. Six years later, it broadened its offerings and changed its name to B Street Theatre. Although Timothy Busfield left in 2001, his brother remained as producing artistic director and manager until he retired in 2022.
The New Mexico court filings also indicate two two other sexual assault allegations, KOAT said. One, against a 17-year-old extra on the 1994 film “Little Big League,” led to a private settlement. Busfield also also had to pay attorney costs when he countersued for defamation and lost.
Another allegation of sexual battery at a Los Angeles movie theater, against a 28-year-old woman, was not prosecuted due to insufficient evidence, the New Mexico documents say.
Busfield has called the New Mexico allegations “lies.” He is expected to appear in court for a hearing on the bond issue on Tuesday, KRQE reported.
