The breaking news on Tuesday that actor Timothy Busfield was under arrest in New Mexico, for charges alleging he inappropriately touched and sexually groomed two young boys during the filming of a recent television show, was devastating.
Also horrifying was the news that Busfield, 68, also allegedly molested a 16-year-old girl more than 20 years ago while she was auditioning for Sacramento’s B Street Theatre.
Everyone deserves a presumption of innocence, but if these charges are proved in a court of law, I cannot imagine supporting Busfield as a fan ever again.
Then there is the question of the B Street Theatre, an institution in Sacramento founded by Busfield and his brother, Buck. According to a Bee story, executives at B Street Theatre knew of the allegations against Busfield in 2001, and took pains to remove him from their board of directors after seeking legal counsel.
The lifeblood of B Street Theatre is its connection to children; classrooms full of them who participate in productions and experience the magic of theater. This news is a body blow to the reputation of the B Street Theatre, and leaders there must now reassure the public that their business is a safe place for children to visit and work.
New allegations tie to B Street
The Busfields’ ties to Sacramento trace back decades. The brothers co-founded the B Street Theatre School Tour as a touring company for child actors in 1984, which eventually became Sacramento’s B Street Theatre in 1991. In 2002, the theater began fundraising for its current home at the Sofia, a 49,000-square-foot facility on Capitol Avenue that opened in 2018.
The B Street Theatre’s website states that the company produces a four-show season of plays for school field trips during the week and for the general public on weekends. They say they have entertained more than half a million children and their families over the last 25 years, and produced more than 100 new plays, 60 of which were either world, national, West Coast or regional premieres.
In a statement released before the allegation of the young actress at B Street Theatre came to light, the theater organization distanced itself from Busfield.
“Mr. Busfield does not have any role presently with B Street Theatre,” the statement said. “He was a co-founder of the theatre but has not served in any capacity since 2001. He is listed on our website as an emeritus member of the board, however he has not attended a board meeting in that capacity since 2001.”
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this situation, particularly anyone impacted by abuse or exploitation in any form,” the statement continued.
However, that statement came from before the allegations involving the teen girl were made public. In a statement to The Bee, the theater organization appeared to acknowledge the incident. In an email, the organization said that the “newly reported” allegation in the motion involved an allegation made against Busfield 25 years ago, after which he had no role with the group.
“B Street retained legal counsel at the time to conduct an internal investigation and Mr. Busfield has not had any role in the organization since 2001,” the theater company said.
That admission sheds new light on the removal of Busfield from their board of directors.
New Mexico case brings more to light
The motion filed in court Jan. 14 in New Mexico, where the alleged molestation of the twin boys is said to have occurred, claims that the actor has a history of inappropriate sexual behavior. Prosecutors used that history to show that it would not be appropriate to release him on bail pending trial.
The motion cited media reports from 1994, when a 17-year-old extra on a film Busfield was starring in sued the actor in Los Angeles Superior Court. The girl alleged that he had “assaulted her, served her alcohol, groped her and attempted sex in a trailer.” The case was settled privately. Busfield later countersued for defamation, but the case was dismissed.
Then, in March 2012, a 28-year-old woman made a police report accusing Busfield of sexual battery, according to prosecutors in New Mexico. The woman alleged Busfield “slipped his hands under (her) clothes” and “touched (her) genitals.” Busfield said the incident was consensual, and no arrest was made.
The latest allegations, now in the court motion claim that, “while auditioning for the defendant at B Street Theatre, the 16-year-old reported that (Busfield) kissed her and put his hands down her pants and touched her privates,” citing a statement made by a Sacramento-area father who contacted New Mexico authorities after the news broke of Busfield’s arrest earlier this week.
While Busfield has publicly called the latest charges “horrible” lies that he will fight in court, I empathize with the story of the victims who have come forward with these allegations. We’ve learned through the harrowing stories of victims that too many of them have suffered at the hands of their abusers and the criminal justice system alike.
Meanwhile, as Sacramento — and the city’s much-loved B Street Theatre — grapples with this disturbing news about Timothy Busfield, it’s important that Sacramentans continue to support the arts, and especially arts education for young kids, but we must all simultaneously ensure that these spaces remain supportive, inclusive and above all, safe.