World · North America · 45 mins ago
New Mexico judge dismisses charges against Timothy Busfield
A New Mexico judge dismissed the indictment against actor Timothy Busfield on Friday.
The charges arose from allegations about events on the Albuquerque set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed from 2022 to 2024.
Parents of twin boys accused him of touching them while they were on the show.
Busfield has denied the allegations, and his lawyers said they were motivated by revenge after the boys lost their roles; prosecutors disputed the defense’s account of the grand jury process.
Judge Joseph Montano said prosecutors failed to act fairly and made errors, including not calling witnesses grand jurors asked to hear from.
The dismissal was based on grand jury problems, not a finding about whether the allegations were true.
Prosecutors are weighing whether to bring charges again, and Busfield’s lawyer said he is prepared if they do.
A New Mexico judge dismissed the indictment against actor and director Timothy Busfield, citing prosecutorial misconduct and errors in the grand jury process.
Judge Joseph Montano said prosecutors failed to act fairly and improperly limited witnesses the grand jury could hear.
The allegations involve two twin boys who appeared on The Cleaning Lady, which Busfield directed.
Busfield has denied the allegations, describing them as lies motivated by revenge.
Prosecutors said they were evaluating their options and had not decided whether to seek another indictment.
- Who
- Actor and director Timothy Busfield, and prosecutors in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
- What
- A judge dismissed the indictment against Busfield, citing misconduct and errors in the grand jury process.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- Why
- The judge found prosecutors failed to properly instruct the grand jury and withheld requested witnesses.
Busfield’s defense
Bernalillo County prosecutors
Witnesses
Busfield’s defense
The defense said prosecutors wrongly kept available witnesses from the grand jury.
Bernalillo County prosecutors
The district attorney said the defense did not follow the correct process for submitting evidence.
Grand jury conduct
Busfield’s defense
The defense argued prosecutors’ actions undermined the proceedings and warranted dismissal.
Bernalillo County prosecutors
The district attorney argued Busfield excessively tried to steer jurors toward favorable witnesses and exhibits.
Allegations
Busfield’s defense
Busfield denied the allegations and his attorneys said the children’s parents were motivated by revenge.
Bernalillo County prosecutors
The indictment alleged Busfield had inappropriate contact with the boys.
Busfield directed The Cleaning Lady, where the allegations were said to have occurred.
A criminal complaint described allegations involving the twin boys, and Busfield turned himself in.
Busfield’s attorneys asked the court to dismiss the indictment.
The court held a hearing on the defense motion to dismiss.
Judge Joseph Montano dismissed the indictment, and prosecutors said they had not decided whether to seek another.
- Judge
- Joseph Montano
- Court
- Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico, in Albuquerque
- Series
- The Cleaning Lady
- Alleged period
- 2022–2024
- Children
- Two twin boys
- Prosecutors’ position
- They had not decided whether to pursue another indictment.
8 sources
Caso de Timothy Busfield é arquivado por falta de imparcialidade, decide juiz
Timothy Busfield Child Sex Abuse Case Dismissed Over Prosecutorial Misconduct
New Mexico judge tosses charges against actor Timothy Busfield, citing prosecutor misconduct
Charges against actor Timothy Busfield dismissed by judge over prosecutor misconduct
Child Sexual Abuse Charges Against Timothy Busfield Dismissed
Timothy Busfield Gets Sexual Abuse Indictment Tossed Over Prosecutors Failing “To Act In A Fair & Impartial Manner”; DA “Evaluating Our Options”
Child sex charges dropped against West Wing star Timothy Busfield over prosecutorial misconduct
Judge tosses Timothy Busfield's indictment on child sex abuse charges
What people are saying
failed to act in a fair and impartial manner
The state engaged in egregious prosecutorial misconduct
I’m saying that is absolutely one gazillion percent untrue. Never ever.
is evaluating our options to determine how we will proceed.