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Timothy Busfield says the legal case against him has already cost him far more than future court dates. 

The veteran actor told a grand jury that the allegations have devastated his professional life, leaving him convinced that his decades-long career is effectively over. 

While maintaining his innocence, Busfield described the personal and professional fallout he says has followed the charges, arguing that the damage has spread well beyond himself to those closest to him.

Timothy Busfield Says His Hollywood Career Has Been Destroyed

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Timothy Busfield testified before a grand jury in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in February after being indicted earlier this year.

During roughly two hours of testimony, the 69-year-old claimed the allegations had already ended his career, regardless of how his case was ultimately resolved.

According to testimony obtained by USA Today, Busfield told jurors, “I’m canceled. I’ll never, I don’t, I’ll never work again just based on people’s fear that I would do this again and, and even if it wasn’t true, I’m done.”

Busfield said the professional consequences had already been severe, explaining that he had lost television work, been digitally replaced in a movie, and dropped by his talent agency. 

“My agency fired me. I’m done,” he said, adding, “This is not about me or a pity thing.”

Busfield Says His Family Has Also Paid A Heavy Price

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While Timothy Busfield spoke at length about the impact on his own career, he told the grand jury his greatest concern was how the case had affected his family, particularly his wife, Melissa Gilbert.

The director said his remaining hope was that Gilbert’s career would not suffer because of his legal troubles. 

He also argued that the allegations had reached far beyond his own reputation, saying they had affected multiple generations of his family.

“My children, grandchildren, everybody in my life is done because of these false allegations for money and for revenge,” Busfield told the 12-person grand jury. 

He concluded by expressing his determination to protect his wife from the fallout, saying, “My wife and her business, I’m not going to break that.”

Timothy Busfield’s Case Moves Forward After Grand Jury Decision

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Earlier in February,a New Mexico grand jury formally indicted Busfield on four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under the age of 13.

Announcing the grand jury’s decision, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman emphasized that the case had moved into its next phase while reaffirming his office’s commitment to pursuing the allegations. 

In a statement shared after the indictment, Bregman said per PEOPLE, “Today’s indictment is an important step toward justice. Our office remains committed to protecting children and holding accountable anyone accused of exploiting or harming them.” 

The indictment allowed prosecutors to move the case toward trial without first holding a preliminary hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence existed. 

Busfield Challenges Grand Jury Indictment As Legal Fight Intensifies

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A few months after the grand jury indicted Timothy Busfield, the actor asked a New Mexico judge to throw out the indictment altogether. 

Through a motion filed in Bernalillo County, Busfield’s legal team alleged the grand jury’s process was tainted by prosecutorial misconduct, arguing that jurors were prevented from hearing testimony and evidence that could have supported his defense. 

In a statement to PEOPLE, attorney Stanton Stein said, “Timothy Busfield is innocent. This motion describes egregious prosecutorial misconduct during grand jury proceedings, thereby preventing the jurors from hearing testimony, witnesses and evidence even after repeated requests by the grand jury itself.” 

Stein further alleged, “The government repressed and suppressed exculpatory evidence, misstated the law and failed in the most basic due process afforded any person under either Constitutional or State laws designed to protect actual innocence from abuse of government power.” 

If the motion is denied, the case will continue toward Busfield’s scheduled May 2027 trial. 

Inside Timothy Busfield’s Legal Issues

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As Busfield continues to fight the charges against him, the criminal case centers on allegations involving two 11-year-old twin boys who appeared on the FOX series “The Cleaning Lady,” where he served as an executive producer and director. 

Prosecutors alleged that Busfield inappropriately touched the children during separate incidents in October 2022 and September 2023 while they were working on the production. 

The investigation began after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital reported suspected abuse in November 2024, prompting interviews with the children and others connected to the show. 

Eventually, an arrest warrant was issued. However, Busfield voluntarily surrendered to authorities in Albuquerque, insisting he intended to fight the allegations against him.

The Timothy Busfield Claims ‘False Allegations’ Ruined His Career first appeared on The Blast