Melissa Gilbert’s husband, Timothy Busfield, facing warrant for child sex abuse

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are lying and doing it for a big pay-out!!

This is sad!!

It isn’t clear to me that that’s what’s happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read that WB’s internal investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing (which apparently involved a corroboration of Busfield’s “side of the story” by several credible on-set witnesses), the parents of the the alleged victims apparently both have a history of committing fraud, and Busfield has apparently “passed” a polygraph related to these allegations. Of note, the jurisdiction in question is one of the few states that considers polygraph evidence in criminal matters.

Nevertheless, I guess there’s still a lot more to sort out before this case is ready for prime time. I’m paying close attention to the allegation that the mother threatened to exact revenge on Busfield after the alleged victims were fired by the production. If that allegation is corroborated by even one credible witness, this case is probably DOA.

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/actor-timothy-busfields-attorneys-investigation-undermines-states-child-129303373

lol. Their own “internal investigation.” Really?!

Former prosecutor with special training in and experience of child sex crimes investigation and prosecution.

Yes, skepticism is very much warranted here.

Can anybody in the class think of any reason why Warner Bros. might be motivated to find no evidence of culpability of the director they employed, on a TV set over which they had employer liability?

Hmmm . . .

I have some concerns about this case, but I would not put much weight into the WB investigation findings. Let LEOs with no financial interest in the outcome re-interview all the same witnesses.

It wasn’t a “WB investigation”, though.

I’ll take a blue chip law firm’s independent investigation (especially when the results of that investigation can be used to distance the studio from a toxic producer) over a true believer affidavit signed by a detective with six months of post-HS education (or however long academies take to complete these days).

Sorry, but this case reeks of a textbook shakedown by disbarred, crooked parents with a track record of committing acts of fraud. Not a faint whiff … reeks of it. Of course, we will all have to wait and see, but I cannot imagine these parents and their sons won’t be impeached sky high before this is all said and done.

And you know this how?!

I’m also curious about the reference to the claimant parents as “disbarred” and their alleged record of “fraud.” Unless of course that’s entirely made up by a “reek”ing, frenzied PP.

Unfortunate that these supposed little kid liars and their “disbarred” parents found a target in a man with several claims of inappropriate, unwelcome sexual behaviors over the past 30 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read that WB’s internal investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing (which apparently involved a corroboration of Busfield’s “side of the story” by several credible on-set witnesses), the parents of the the alleged victims apparently both have a history of committing fraud, and Busfield has apparently “passed” a polygraph related to these allegations. Of note, the jurisdiction in question is one of the few states that considers polygraph evidence in criminal matters.

Nevertheless, I guess there’s still a lot more to sort out before this case is ready for prime time. I’m paying close attention to the allegation that the mother threatened to exact revenge on Busfield after the alleged victims were fired by the production. If that allegation is corroborated by even one credible witness, this case is probably DOA.

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/actor-timothy-busfields-attorneys-investigation-undermines-states-child-129303373

lol. Their own “internal investigation.” Really?!

Former prosecutor with special training in and experience of child sex crimes investigation and prosecution.

Yes, skepticism is very much warranted here.

Can anybody in the class think of any reason why Warner Bros. might be motivated to find no evidence of culpability of the director they employed, on a TV set over which they had employer liability?

Hmmm . . .

I have some concerns about this case, but I would not put much weight into the WB investigation findings. Let LEOs with no financial interest in the outcome re-interview all the same witnesses.

It wasn’t a “WB investigation”, though.

I’ll take a blue chip law firm’s independent investigation (especially when the results of that investigation can be used to distance the studio from a toxic producer) over a true believer affidavit signed by a detective with six months of post-HS education (or however long academies take to complete these days).

Sorry, but this case reeks of a textbook shakedown by disbarred, crooked parents with a track record of committing acts of fraud. Not a faint whiff … reeks of it. Of course, we will all have to wait and see, but I cannot imagine these parents and their sons won’t be impeached sky high before this is all said and done.

And you know this how?!

I’m also curious about the reference to the claimant parents as “disbarred” and their alleged record of “fraud.” Unless of course that’s entirely made up by a “reek”ing, frenzied PP.

Unfortunate that these supposed little kid liars and their “disbarred” parents found a target in a man with several claims of inappropriate, unwelcome sexual behaviors over the past 30 years.

https://deadline.com/2026/01/timothy-busfield-detention-decision-1236690870/

Disbarred and a history of fraud via check kiting … tsk tsk.

Did it ever occur to you that his history of having been accused of unwelcome sexual behaviors in the past, whether true or not, was actually what emboldened them to seek this type of revenge against him (as the mother was apparently quoted as having said)? That he was viewed as an easy target? That wouldn’t be a “coincidence”, counselor - that would be someone hunting for a target’s soft underbelly.

But yeah, after you’re done reading the linked, you can leave your apology for trying (yet failing miserably) to besmirch MY intentions in your next post.

[Anonymous]

Brandenburg-Koch’s argument for remand required a suspension of disbelief that the judge apparently couldn’t muster.

It may turn out that this guy is guilty as sin. That won’t change the fact that this prosecutor needs to be pulled for someone on the A team in that office. This thing will be DOA if she stays on the case. Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

As more facts come to light, it certainly is appearing that the parents had been caught in cons before and were coaching their sons regarding what to say. Especially since the boys had previously denied any wrongdoing on the part of Busfield.

On Monday, Busfield's attorneys submitted two brief audio recordings of initial police interviews in which the children say Busfield did not touch them in private areas. The attorneys in a court filing argue that the complaint characterizes the interviews as a failure to disclose abuse, but an "unequivocal denial is materially different from a mere absence of disclosure."
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/timothy-busfield-ordered-released-from-new-mexico-jail-pending-child-sex-abuse-case/

Not sure which way this will all go, but if it turns out the parents fabricated this in order to seek revenge on Busfield, I hope they're thrown in jail.

[Anonymous]

Biggest shock of all in this case is that these children were being paid $60K per episode prior to their dismissal from the production.

I had never even heard of this showprior to this week. But if those children appeared as regulars in the first three seasons and averaged, I’m assuming, at least $25K per episode over those initial 34 episodes, that’s $850K in earnings that these fraudster parents saw slip away overnight.

And then they allegedly threatened to exact revenge. And then their children affirmatively denied that this guy had touched them inappropriately. Before changing their story and claiming that he did.

A guy was arrested and jailed for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read that WB’s internal investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing (which apparently involved a corroboration of Busfield’s “side of the story” by several credible on-set witnesses), the parents of the the alleged victims apparently both have a history of committing fraud, and Busfield has apparently “passed” a polygraph related to these allegations. Of note, the jurisdiction in question is one of the few states that considers polygraph evidence in criminal matters.

Nevertheless, I guess there’s still a lot more to sort out before this case is ready for prime time. I’m paying close attention to the allegation that the mother threatened to exact revenge on Busfield after the alleged victims were fired by the production. If that allegation is corroborated by even one credible witness, this case is probably DOA.

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/actor-timothy-busfields-attorneys-investigation-undermines-states-child-129303373

lol. Their own “internal investigation.” Really?!

Former prosecutor with special training in and experience of child sex crimes investigation and prosecution.

Yes, skepticism is very much warranted here.

Can anybody in the class think of any reason why Warner Bros. might be motivated to find no evidence of culpability of the director they employed, on a TV set over which they had employer liability?

Hmmm . . .

I have some concerns about this case, but I would not put much weight into the WB investigation findings. Let LEOs with no financial interest in the outcome re-interview all the same witnesses.

It wasn’t a “WB investigation”, though.

I’ll take a blue chip law firm’s independent investigation (especially when the results of that investigation can be used to distance the studio from a toxic producer) over a true believer affidavit signed by a detective with six months of post-HS education (or however long academies take to complete these days).

Sorry, but this case reeks of a textbook shakedown by disbarred, crooked parents with a track record of committing acts of fraud. Not a faint whiff … reeks of it. Of course, we will all have to wait and see, but I cannot imagine these parents and their sons won’t be impeached sky high before this is all said and done.

And you know this how?!

I’m also curious about the reference to the claimant parents as “disbarred” and their alleged record of “fraud.” Unless of course that’s entirely made up by a “reek”ing, frenzied PP.

Unfortunate that these supposed little kid liars and their “disbarred” parents found a target in a man with several claims of inappropriate, unwelcome sexual behaviors over the past 30 years.

Did the DA realize this before filing?

https://www.justice.gov/usao-cdca/pr/former-attorney-pleads-guilty-participating-fraudulent-mortgage-modification-scheme

SANTA ANA, California – A former licensed attorney from Irvine pleaded guilty this afternoon to federal charges for his role in a multi-million dollar fraudulent mortgage modification scheme.

Ronald Rodis, 51, of Irvine, pleaded guilty before United States District Judge David O. Carter to one count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud…

In a plea agreement filed in federal court, Rodis admitted that the RLG scheme fraudulently obtained approximately $6 million from more than 1,500 victims…

“It is an unfortunate truth that people often take advantage of a crisis for personal gain,” said Assistant Director in Charge Deirdre Fike of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The Rodis Law Group was among the worst type of scammers, trying to take advantage of homeowners already experiencing profound heartache in the face of potential foreclosure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just read that WB’s internal investigation found no evidence of wrongdoing (which apparently involved a corroboration of Busfield’s “side of the story” by several credible on-set witnesses), the parents of the the alleged victims apparently both have a history of committing fraud, and Busfield has apparently “passed” a polygraph related to these allegations. Of note, the jurisdiction in question is one of the few states that considers polygraph evidence in criminal matters.

Nevertheless, I guess there’s still a lot more to sort out before this case is ready for prime time. I’m paying close attention to the allegation that the mother threatened to exact revenge on Busfield after the alleged victims were fired by the production. If that allegation is corroborated by even one credible witness, this case is probably DOA.

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/wireStory/actor-timothy-busfields-attorneys-investigation-undermines-states-child-129303373

lol. Their own “internal investigation.” Really?!

Former prosecutor with special training in and experience of child sex crimes investigation and prosecution.

Yes, skepticism is very much warranted here.

Can anybody in the class think of any reason why Warner Bros. might be motivated to find no evidence of culpability of the director they employed, on a TV set over which they had employer liability?

Hmmm . . .

I have some concerns about this case, but I would not put much weight into the WB investigation findings. Let LEOs with no financial interest in the outcome re-interview all the same witnesses.

It wasn’t a “WB investigation”, though.

I’ll take a blue chip law firm’s independent investigation (especially when the results of that investigation can be used to distance the studio from a toxic producer) over a true believer affidavit signed by a detective with six months of post-HS education (or however long academies take to complete these days).

Sorry, but this case reeks of a textbook shakedown by disbarred, crooked parents with a track record of committing acts of fraud. Not a faint whiff … reeks of it. Of course, we will all have to wait and see, but I cannot imagine these parents and their sons won’t be impeached sky high before this is all said and done.

And you know this how?!

I’m also curious about the reference to the claimant parents as “disbarred” and their alleged record of “fraud.” Unless of course that’s entirely made up by a “reek”ing, frenzied PP.

Unfortunate that these supposed little kid liars and their “disbarred” parents found a target in a man with several claims of inappropriate, unwelcome sexual behaviors over the past 30 years.

https://deadline.com/2026/01/timothy-busfield-detention-decision-1236690870/

Disbarred and a history of fraud via check kiting … tsk tsk.

Did it ever occur to you that his history of having been accused of unwelcome sexual behaviors in the past, whether true or not, was actually what emboldened them to seek this type of revenge against him (as the mother was apparently quoted as having said)? That he was viewed as an easy target? That wouldn’t be a “coincidence”, counselor - that would be someone hunting for a target’s soft underbelly.

But yeah, after you’re done reading the linked, you can leave your apology for trying (yet failing miserably) to besmirch MY intentions in your next post.

Abusers tend to collect victims they can claim as compromised. That’s one of the bigger takeaways with Epstein - Maxwell sought out girls and women with terrible home lives, who would never have the social clout to protect their loved ones or seek redress after predation. Those kids having sketchy parents does not mean they weren’t abused.

[Anonymous]

According to the affidavit there were times the children were alone with Busfield anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026.1.16-Busfield-Response-pages-deleted-and-watermarked.pdf

tl/dr: Team Pitchfork probably on suicide watch

How is the case going forward based on what is presented in this document? Not only the father was disbarred for scamming people, the mother did too including writing bad checks to casinos.

Multiple people stated that there was no way he was ever alone with any kids as there were way too many people constantly on the set, teachers following the kids, the alleged location of the abuse was never vacant with no one around, etc.

Both the first police investigation and the independent attorney paid by WB foubd no abuse and the boys stayed no abuse happened.

The prosecutor is quoted as saying in court yesterday, essentially, “well, abuse can occur in plain sight, too” …

Seriously. That was her response when the defense presented an array of witness statements that supported the defense position that Busfield was never even alone with the complainants, which appears to undermine the prosecution’s core theory of the case.

Nevertheless, the defense response to the state’s effort to deny his release was a massive broadside in what is starting to look like a very questionable case.

Look, abuse is a horrific trauma when it has actually occurred. I’m not saying I’m certain it didn’t occur here.

But what I am saying is that this appears to be a garden variety shakedown by a very shady family, the criminal case appears severely damaged before it even has a chance to get its sea legs, and all of the posters (maybe it was just one poster?) in this thread who were ready to execute this guy before he even had a chance to deny the claims made against him? They should be ashamed of themselves for convicting this guy in the court of public opinion, for attacking other posters for supporting due process, and for lashing out at those posters personally. There’s enough egg on their face(s) right now to last a lifetime. Just stop.

What are you on? No one is talking about execution here. And we are allowed to have opinions on the case and we can convict him in the court of public opinion if we damn well want to. Nothing of what you wrote will convince me this guy is innocent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always associate him more with Thirty Something than with The West Wing.

I only know him from Revenge of the Nerds.

[Anonymous]

Thankfully he’s already been removed from some projects.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I always associate him more with Thirty Something than with The West Wing.

I only know him from Revenge of the Nerds.

Who did he play?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026.1.16-Busfield-Response-pages-deleted-and-watermarked.pdf

tl/dr: Team Pitchfork probably on suicide watch

How is the case going forward based on what is presented in this document? Not only the father was disbarred for scamming people, the mother did too including writing bad checks to casinos.

Multiple people stated that there was no way he was ever alone with any kids as there were way too many people constantly on the set, teachers following the kids, the alleged location of the abuse was never vacant with no one around, etc.

Both the first police investigation and the independent attorney paid by WB foubd no abuse and the boys stayed no abuse happened.

The prosecutor is quoted as saying in court yesterday, essentially, “well, abuse can occur in plain sight, too” …

Seriously. That was her response when the defense presented an array of witness statements that supported the defense position that Busfield was never even alone with the complainants, which appears to undermine the prosecution’s core theory of the case.

Nevertheless, the defense response to the state’s effort to deny his release was a massive broadside in what is starting to look like a very questionable case.

Look, abuse is a horrific trauma when it has actually occurred. I’m not saying I’m certain it didn’t occur here.

But what I am saying is that this appears to be a garden variety shakedown by a very shady family, the criminal case appears severely damaged before it even has a chance to get its sea legs, and all of the posters (maybe it was just one poster?) in this thread who were ready to execute this guy before he even had a chance to deny the claims made against him? They should be ashamed of themselves for convicting this guy in the court of public opinion, for attacking other posters for supporting due process, and for lashing out at those posters personally. There’s enough egg on their face(s) right now to last a lifetime. Just stop.

What are you on? No one is talking about execution here. And we are allowed to have opinions on the case and we can convict him in the court of public opinion if we damn well want to. Nothing of what you wrote will convince me this guy is innocent.

Good grief, show us on the doll where Uncle Tim touched you.

On a slightly more serious note, you were invited to stop - so I’m not going to feel bad at all watching this unfold and mocking you for your crazed rush to judgement the entire way.

He’s finished in Hollywood. So I could care less what actually happens in court. His reputation is gone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026.1.16-Busfield-Response-pages-deleted-and-watermarked.pdf

tl/dr: Team Pitchfork probably on suicide watch

How is the case going forward based on what is presented in this document? Not only the father was disbarred for scamming people, the mother did too including writing bad checks to casinos.

Multiple people stated that there was no way he was ever alone with any kids as there were way too many people constantly on the set, teachers following the kids, the alleged location of the abuse was never vacant with no one around, etc.

Both the first police investigation and the independent attorney paid by WB foubd no abuse and the boys stayed no abuse happened.

The prosecutor is quoted as saying in court yesterday, essentially, “well, abuse can occur in plain sight, too” …

Seriously. That was her response when the defense presented an array of witness statements that supported the defense position that Busfield was never even alone with the complainants, which appears to undermine the prosecution’s core theory of the case.

Nevertheless, the defense response to the state’s effort to deny his release was a massive broadside in what is starting to look like a very questionable case.

Look, abuse is a horrific trauma when it has actually occurred. I’m not saying I’m certain it didn’t occur here.

But what I am saying is that this appears to be a garden variety shakedown by a very shady family, the criminal case appears severely damaged before it even has a chance to get its sea legs, and all of the posters (maybe it was just one poster?) in this thread who were ready to execute this guy before he even had a chance to deny the claims made against him? They should be ashamed of themselves for convicting this guy in the court of public opinion, for attacking other posters for supporting due process, and for lashing out at those posters personally. There’s enough egg on their face(s) right now to last a lifetime. Just stop.

What are you on? No one is talking about execution here. And we are allowed to have opinions on the case and we can convict him in the court of public opinion if we damn well want to. Nothing of what you wrote will convince me this guy is innocent.

Good grief, show us on the doll where Uncle Tim touched you.

On a slightly more serious note, you were invited to stop - so I’m not going to feel bad at all watching this unfold and mocking you for your crazed rush to judgement the entire way.

He’s finished in Hollywood. So I could care less what actually happens in court. His reputation is gone.

I'm not convinced he's guilty in this case, but I believe the allegations involving teenage girls. So yeah, I don't care either.