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2. Josh Duggar Sexual Abuse Scandal Revealed
One of the biggest scandals to hit the news in 2015, revolved around reality star Josh Duggar, the eldest son of Michelle and Jim Bob on TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting. It was revealed that he sexually abused underage girls in 2002 and 2003, including four of his sisters. Josh’s father went to a state trooper to report this, but Josh was never arrested nor was a police report filed. “Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret,” Josh, now 27, said in a statement to People magazine. “I hurt others, including my family and close friends. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling.” Josh’s wife Anna, who was expecting his fourth child at the time, stuck by his side. She said that he confessed the molestation to her before they got engaged. TLC decided to cancel 19 Kids and Counting after news of Josh’s past surfaced. After the child molestation scandal was revealed, we also found out that he had two paid accounts with Ashley Madison, the infidelity website that you can use to have an affair. He paid almost $1,000 to the site, including the amount required for an “affair guarantee.” In a statement on his family’s website, Josh called himself “the biggest hypocrite ever,” adding, “While espousing faith and family values, I have been unfaithful to my wife. I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him.”
© TLC/Discovery Communications / Courtesy: Everett Collection