Timothy Busfield told a jury his “career is over” as he faces charges of child sexual abuse.
“My children, my grandchildren, my entire life is over because of false allegations for money and revenge,” the actor said in grand jury testimony in February, according to documents recently obtained by USA Today.
“These two criminals (the boys’ parents) have destroyed me. And my wife (Melissa Gilbert) and her business, I’m not going to destroy that,” he added during the February hearing.
The “Revenge of the Nerds” actor complained that his “career is over” and “canceled.”
“I will never work again based solely on people’s fear that I will do something like that again. Even if it’s not true, I’m done with it,” he testified.
“I’ve replaced my TV shows and movies with digital. My agency fired me. I’m done. This is not my problem or my regrets,” added Busfield, 69.
In testimony, the director denied touching the boys inappropriately, but admitted tickling them and putting his arms around them.
He also alleged that the twin boys and their parents orchestrated the false allegations after the child actors were dropped from Season 4 of “Cleaning Women,” which Busfield produced and occasionally directed.
The twin actors reportedly earned a combined salary of $30,000 per episode.
“(The boys) are victims of criminals. It’s terrible. We shouldn’t call them criminals.”
“Parents are going to coach their kids and make up[lies]and I think that’s terrible for the boys’ lives. They’re going to have to live with that,” Busfield told jurors.
Busfield, 69, was arrested in January on charges of child abuse and criminal sexual contact of a minor after he allegedly inappropriately touched two 7-year-old actors on the Fox series.
One of the boys claimed that the “graduate in his 30s” touched his genitals several times over his clothes.
Busfield vehemently denies the “horrific” allegations, telling TMZ, “I didn’t do anything to those little kids.”
In February, Busfield was formally charged with four counts of criminal sexual contact with a child under 13.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Despite the accusations, Gilbert, 62, remained by her husband’s side, and Busfield said: “The last person in this world would hurt a child.”
She also showed her support by attending a court hearing in January.
Busfield’s trial is scheduled to begin in May 2027.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call our Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226.
