The personal attorney of Timothy Busfield criticized the handling of the 68-year-old’s arrest warrant by Albuquerque authorities in a phone call with KOAT on Tuesday, saying, “I’m quite upset with how it was handled.” Busfield surrendered to authorities on Tuesday after being charged with child sex abuse, following accusations of inappropriately touching two child actors on the set of “The Cleaning Lady” in Albuquerque. He is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse. Stein explained that after the warrant was issued, Busfield’s lawyer contacted authorities to arrange a surrender, but Busfield had to drive cross-country as he couldn’t fly. Despite requesting the warrant be pulled, a judge refused, Stein said. “As soon as he got here in Albuquerque, his local criminal lawyer walked him into the courthouse and he surrendered,” Stein added.The Albuquerque Police Department defended its actions, stating in a press conference Tuesday: “We contacted the U.S. Marshal Service just because we understood him to be out of town or living outside of the state so just asked for their assistance in locating and getting him into custody.”When asked about Busfield’s wife Melissa Gilbert, APD confirmed, “She’s not a suspect in our case.” APD said it is not currently investigating any other incidents involving Busfield. Stein commented on Busfield’s state, saying, “He’s obviously distraught over the allegations but he is clear that he wants to use the court system to prove his innocence. He denies 100% any of the allegations against him, and he’s confident that he will ultimately prevail.” KOAT legal expert John Day said both the prosecution and defense likely feel they have a good case in court, saying, “It’s going to be a battle because the defense says these are fake allegations. Prosecution says we need to believe these the two little boys and it’s going to be played out in court and it’s going to be a long, a long battle. We know that much.”When asked if more allegations could lead to additional charges, APD’s Gilbert Gallegos said, “I think it’s kind of hypothetical at this point, so it would probably not be appropriate to comment on what might happen.”APD officials mentioned they haven’t had direct contact with Busfield, who was likely communicating with the district attorney’s office. The arrest warrant also notes past sexual assault allegations against Busfield in 1994 and 2012, with no charges filed in either case.Stein said Warner Bros. investigated the misconduct claims by hiring independent investigator Christina McGovern who interviewed a dozen people on set. McGovern told KOAT: “I conducted an independent and thorough investigation of all allegations known to the Studio at the time. Warner Bros. gave me full discretion as to my investigation. Based on what was alleged, and all evidence gathered, including multiple witness statements, I found no corroborating evidence that Mr. Busfield engaged in inappropriate conduct or that he was ever alone with the on set.”
The personal attorney of Timothy Busfield criticized the handling of the 68-year-old’s arrest warrant by Albuquerque authorities in a phone call with KOAT on Tuesday, saying, “I’m quite upset with how it was handled.”
Busfield surrendered to authorities on Tuesday after being charged with child sex abuse, following accusations of inappropriately touching two child actors on the set of “The Cleaning Lady” in Albuquerque. He is facing two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and child abuse.
Stein explained that after the warrant was issued, Busfield’s lawyer contacted authorities to arrange a surrender, but Busfield had to drive cross-country as he couldn’t fly. Despite requesting the warrant be pulled, a judge refused, Stein said.
“As soon as he got here in Albuquerque, his local criminal lawyer walked him into the courthouse and he surrendered,” Stein added.
The Albuquerque Police Department defended its actions, stating in a press conference Tuesday: “We contacted the U.S. Marshal Service just because we understood him to be out of town or living outside of the state so just asked for their assistance in locating and getting him into custody.”
When asked about Busfield’s wife Melissa Gilbert, APD confirmed, “She’s not a suspect in our case.”
APD said it is not currently investigating any other incidents involving Busfield.
Stein commented on Busfield’s state, saying, “He’s obviously distraught over the allegations but he is clear that he wants to use the court system to prove his innocence. He denies 100% any of the allegations against him, and he’s confident that he will ultimately prevail.”
KOAT legal expert John Day said both the prosecution and defense likely feel they have a good case in court, saying, “It’s going to be a battle because the defense says these are fake allegations. Prosecution says we need to believe these the two little boys and it’s going to be played out in court and it’s going to be a long, a long battle. We know that much.”
When asked if more allegations could lead to additional charges, APD’s Gilbert Gallegos said, “I think it’s kind of hypothetical at this point, so it would probably not be appropriate to comment on what might happen.”
APD officials mentioned they haven’t had direct contact with Busfield, who was likely communicating with the district attorney’s office.
The arrest warrant also notes past sexual assault allegations against Busfield in 1994 and 2012, with no charges filed in either case.
Stein said Warner Bros. investigated the misconduct claims by hiring independent investigator Christina McGovern who interviewed a dozen people on set. McGovern told KOAT: “I conducted an independent and thorough investigation of all allegations known to the Studio at the time. Warner Bros. gave me full discretion as to my investigation. Based on what was alleged, and all evidence gathered, including multiple witness statements, I found no corroborating evidence that Mr. Busfield engaged in inappropriate conduct or that he was ever alone with the [children] on set.”
