Gary Busey pleads guilty to criminal charge for unwanted touching
Busey, 81, made a virtual appearance in New Jersey Superior Court Thursday, July 31, and entered a guilty plea to one charge of fourth-degree criminal sexual contact, Busey's attorney Blair R. Zwillman confirmed to USA TODAY on Aug. 1.
With the plea, Busey has admitted to "touching the buttocks of a woman without her permission," Zwillman said. The case stems from his August 2022 appearance at the Monster-Mania Convention, where several woman accused him of inappropriately touching them.
The "Buddy Holly Story" actor initially faced five criminal charges in the case and pleaded not guilty during a March arraignment, court records show. Prosecutors have since dismissed the other charges.
The actor was "overcharged" by county prosecutors due to his "celebrity status," Zwillman said, adding that his client should have faced a lower-level charge such as a disorderly persons offense for harassment.
USA TODAY has reached out to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office for comment.
Busey was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Buddy Holly in 1978's "The Buddy Holly Story." Aside from his film credits, which include "Point Break" and "Lethal Weapon," he's also forayed into reality television.
In 2014, he won Season 14 of the U.K. show "Celebrity Big Brother." Busey also competed on Season 21 of "Dancing with the Stars" and in 2011 on "The Apprentice."
In 2023, Busey was allegedly involved in a hit-and-run collision in Malibu. According to Entertainment Weekly, the unidentified woman whose car he collided with did not press charges against the actor.
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