Timothy Busfield’s Attorneys Say Parents of Alleged Abuse Victims Have a Pattern of Fraudulent Behavior

Timothy Busfield in 2020.
Credit:

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Key Developments

• Timothy Busfield’s legal team asserts that the parents of the twin boys accusing him of sexual abuse have a “well-documented history of fraud and dishonesty.”
• These allegations were highlighted in a new court filing dated January 17.
• The same document claims that the twins’ mother expressed intentions to “get her revenge against Tim Busfield.”

In a motion for Timothy Busfield’s release while awaiting trial on child sex abuse charges, his attorneys argued that the parents of the alleged victims have motives rooted in financial gain and revenge, citing their “extraordinarily checkered” histories.

The actor and director, known for his role in The West Wing, faced legal action on January 13 after surrendering to Albuquerque police. He has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact with a minor and one count of child abuse. The charges stem from allegations of unlawful sexual conduct with 11-year-old twin boys who acted in the FOX series The Cleaning Lady, where Busfield worked as a director.

Busfield, who is married to actress Melissa Gilbert, has denied the accusations and stated in a video that he intends to “confront these lies” and “fight” against the charges.

In a court filing submitted on January 16, Busfield’s attorneys opposed the state’s request for pretrial detention, alleging that the parents, Angele LaSalle and Ronald Rodis, have troubling backgrounds involving fraud. The filing also claims that LaSalle expressed a desire for revenge against Busfield.

Further details in the January 17 filing indicate that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on the accounts of the parents, who they argue are not impartial observers. Busfield’s lawyers claimed that the state has failed to provide reliable evidence and instead relies on allegations from individuals with documented histories of financial exploitation.

Moreover, the filing states that the accusations from the parents emerged only after the twins lost their roles and implies a financial motive, especially considering the alleged recasting of the child actors in the series, which aired from January 2022 to June 2025.

Timothy Busfield in 2020.

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Attorney claims against the twin boys’ father, Rodis, highlight his alleged history of manipulating narratives for financial benefit. Rodis is described in the filing as a former attorney who was convicted of federal conspiracy and wire fraud, leading to his disbarment after a large-scale scheme that defrauded over 1,500 homeowners out of approximately $6 million.

Additionally, testimony from a director of photography working on The Cleaning Lady indicates that Rodis was “pushy and manipulative” on set, encouraging the child actors to embrace Busfield.

The filing also sheds light on LaSalle’s troubling background, marked by multiple civil judgments for fraudulent behavior, including allegations of unlawfully repossession of a vehicle and writing bad checks. The document emphasizes that the past records of the parents raise significant doubts about their credibility.

Timothy Busfield in 2019.

Rodin Eckenroth/Getty

The attorneys for Busfield assert that the couple driving the allegations against him have a history that undermines their claims and indicate potential motivations beyond the allegations of misconduct.

Attempts to contact the attorneys representing Rodis and LaSalle have not been successful.

An investigation into the case initiated on November 1, 2024, began after a physician at the University of New Mexico Hospital alerted authorities regarding the alleged abuse. An independent inquiry by Warner Bros. Television Studios reportedly concluded that the allegations were unfounded and that LaSalle had expressed a desire for revenge following her children’s potential loss of roles.

In a spokesperson’s statement to the media, Warner Bros. reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of cast and crew, especially minors, and emphasized its thorough investigation processes and cooperation with law enforcement.