Actor-director Timothy Busfield is pushing back strongly against child sexual abuse allegations, with his legal team now alleging that the parents of the twin boys accusing him have a long history of fraud and dishonesty — and are motivated by retaliation and financial gain.
In a new court filing obtained on January 17, Busfield’s lawyers urged the court to reject the state’s request for pretrial detention, arguing that the case against the 68-year-old actor rests largely on what they describe as unreliable witnesses with “extraordinarily checkered” pasts.
The charges against Busfield
Busfield, best known for his work on The West Wing, was charged in New Mexico earlier this week with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations that he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys who were child actors on the set of The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield worked as a director.
He surrendered to Albuquerque police on January 13. Busfield has denied all allegations and said publicly that he intends to “confront these lies” and fight the charges. He is married to actor Melissa Gilbert.
Lawyers question credibility of parents
In their opposition filing dated January 16, Busfield’s attorneys directly targeted the twins’ parents, Ronald Rodis and Angele LaSalle, claiming the accusations emerged only after the children allegedly lost their roles on The Cleaning Lady in 2024.
According to the filing, the parents consulted civil attorneys shortly after the recasting, which the defense argues points to a retaliatory and financial motive rather than concern for justice.
“The state offers no reliable proof — only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation,” the filing states.
Allegations surrounding the twins’ father
The defense claims Rodis is a former attorney who was convicted of federal conspiracy and wire fraud and later disbarred. According to the filing, Rodis pleaded guilty in a scheme that allegedly defrauded more than 1,500 homeowners of approximately $6 million.
Busfield’s lawyers argue that this history demonstrates Rodis’s willingness to manipulate narratives when money is involved. The filing also includes testimony from a cinematographer on The Cleaning Lady set, who described Rodis as “pushy and manipulative” and alleged that he frequently encouraged the children to hug people on set, including Busfield.
Claims against the twins’ mother
The filing further alleges that LaSalle has faced multiple civil judgments related to fraud and dishonest conduct, including claims involving fraudulent transfers, conversion, and writing bad checks to Las Vegas casinos. One allegation cited in the filing involves the unlawful repossession of a luxury vehicle after it had been sold.
Busfield’s lawyers argue that these histories significantly undermine the credibility of the accusations now being brought forward.
Alleged revenge motive
Beyond financial incentives, the defense also alleges a personal vendetta. The filing claims that LaSalle was overheard stating she would “get her revenge against Tim Busfield” after learning her children might not return for a fourth season of The Cleaning Lady.
According to Busfield’s legal team, a separate internal investigation conducted by Warner Bros. Television Studios in 2025 found the allegations against Busfield to be unfounded and supported the claim that retaliation played a role.
Ongoing investigations and responses
An earlier investigation into the allegations reportedly began in November 2024 after a doctor at the University of New Mexico Hospital contacted authorities. PEOPLE reported that it was unable to reach attorneys representing Rodis and LaSalle for comment.
In a previous statement, Warner Bros. said the safety of minors remains its top priority and confirmed it continues to cooperate with law enforcement.
Final words
As the case moves forward, the legal battle surrounding Timothy Busfield is shaping up to hinge not only on the allegations themselves, but also on the credibility and motives of those bringing them forward. While the charges remain serious and unresolved, Busfield’s defense is positioning the case as one rooted in retaliation rather than evidence — a claim the court will now have to carefully examine as proceedings continue.
