Actor Timothy Busfield’s legal troubles are not the first time he has been flagged for inappropriate behavior. A family member of Julia Roberts made allegations decades earlier that the Thirtysomething star made unwanted advances.
The spouse of Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert is accused of unlawful sexual conduct with twin actors. He is charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. The alleged abuse occurred in 2022, while Timothy served as director for the TV series The Cleaning Lady in New Mexico.
Julia Roberts’ sister-in-law claims Timothy Busfield came onto her in a 1994 statement
According to RadarOnline, Julie Roberts’ sister-in-law, Eliza Roberts, testified in a deposition in 1994. She accused Timothy of expressing a desire to perform oral sex on her. He allegedly insisted he’d be “so great in bed” and said his wife at the time was a “lousy f**k.” Timothy was married to his second wife, fashion designer Jenny Merwin, at that time, before they divorced in 2007. He married Melissa six years later.
Eliza’s statement came two years after she married Julie’s brother Eric. At that time, she was supporting a 17-year-old girl who claimed Timothy sexually assaulted her on the film Little Big League set. Criminal charges were never filed in this alleged incident. Timothy, who denied the allegations, settled the Minnesota teen’s lawsuit for an undisclosed amount.
Prior to surrendering to Albuquerque, New Mexico authorities in the latest case, Timothy promised he would “confront the horrible lies.” The West Wing star contends, “I did not do anything to those little boys, and I’m gonna fight it.”
The Emmy winner’s lawyer insists there is no evidence of a crime. Timothy claims that the twins’ mother is seeking revenge because the boys were written out of the show’s last season.
His lawyer said Timothy took an independent polygraph exam voluntarily and passed the test. Melissa continues to support her husband.
Timothy was released on his own recognizance pending trial on January 20.
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