At a Glance
- Timothy Busfield’s attorneys claim the parents of his underage accusers have a documented history of fraud and dishonesty.
- The filing alleges the twins’ mother vowed to “get her revenge against Tim Busfield.”
- Warner Bros. Television Studios conducted a 2025 investigation that found the allegations “unfounded.”
- Why it matters: The defense argues the parents’ financial motive and credibility issues undermine the prosecution’s case.
Timothy Busfield’s legal team has launched a blistering attack on the credibility of the parents whose twin sons accuse the actor-director of sexual abuse, branding the couple as financially motivated fraudsters with a vendetta.
Allegations Against Parents
In a court filing submitted on January 16 and obtained by News Of Los Angeles the next day, Busfield’s attorneys portray Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis as serial scammers leveraging a family crisis for cash. The filing states the pair have an “extraordinarily checkered” past that “casts enormous doubt on the truthfulness of their statements.”
Key claims in the defense filing:
- Ronald Rodis, a disbarred attorney, pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and wire fraud for a multi-million-dollar scheme that defrauded more than 1,500 homeowners of approximately $6 million.
- Angele LaSalle has multiple civil judgments against her for fraud, conversion, and fraudulent transfer, including allegedly repossessing a Bentley after selling it and writing bad checks to Las Vegas casinos.
- A Warner Bros. investigation found LaSalle told the show’s lead actor she would “get her revenge against Tim Busfield” after learning her children might not return for a fourth season of The Cleaning Lady.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 13, 2025 | Busfield surrenders to Albuquerque police and is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. |
| November 1, 2024 | University of New Mexico Hospital doctor alerts police to alleged abuse. |
| 2025 | Warner Bros. Television Studios conducts independent investigation. |
Defense Strategy
Busfield’s legal team argues the allegations surfaced only after the twins lost their roles on The Cleaning Lady and after the parents consulted civil counsel, creating “an obvious financial and retaliatory motive.” The filing contends the state’s case “rests almost entirely on the accounts” of the “two stage parents,” who “are not neutral observers.”
“The State offers no reliable proof – only allegations advanced by witnesses with documented histories of fraud and financial exploitation, contradicted by a comprehensive studio investigation, and refuted by witnesses and objective risk assessments,” the filing states.
Studio Investigation
According to the defense, Warner Bros. Television Studios launched its own probe and concluded the allegations were “unfounded.” A Warner Bros. representative previously told News Of Los Angeles, “The health and safety of our cast and crew is always our top priority, especially the safety of minors on our productions. We take all allegations of misconduct very seriously and have systems in place to promptly and thoroughly investigate, and when needed, take appropriate action. [We] have been and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement.”
On-Set Behavior
A director of photography on The Cleaning Lady described Rodis as “pushy and manipulative” and claimed he would “frequently encourage and tell the children to hug people on set, including Mr. Busfield.”
Busfield’s Response
Busfield, 68, has denied all charges. In a video obtained by TMZ he vowed to “confront these lies” and “fight.” The West Wing alum is married to actress Melissa Gilbert.
Prosecution’s Position
The state has moved for pretrial detention. Busfield’s opposition filing aims to secure his release while he awaits trial.
Parents’ Attorneys
News Of Los Angeles was unable to reach attorneys for Rodis and LaSalle for comment.
Key Takeaways
- The defense hinges on discrediting the accusers’ parents, citing felony convictions and civil fraud judgments.
- A studio investigation reportedly cleared Busfield and captured the mother’s alleged revenge threat.
- The twins’ ouster from the show and subsequent consultation with civil lawyers form the crux of the defense’s financial-motive theory.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
