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Josh Duggar, "19 Kids" Star And Professional Homophobe, Admits To Molestation, Resigns From Family Research Council

Josh Duggar, part of the 19 Kids and Counting brood and executive director of the rabidly anti-gay Family Research Council, today acknowledged he molested several underage girls when he was a teenager.

"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager. I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret." Duggar told People, "We spoke with authorities where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life."

According to a 33-page report In Touch acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request, a then-14-year-old Josh fondled the genitals and breasts of several girls in 2002 and 2003. It reportedly happened on multiple occasions, sometimes forcibly.

Related: Anti-Gay Activist And "19 Kids" Star Josh Duggar Named In Child Molestation Case

Rather than contact the authorities, however, 19 Kids patriarch Jim Bob Duggar said he decided to send Josh to a "Christian program" that consisted "of hard physical work and counseling."

Josh's wife Anna, says her husband confessed his "past teenage mistakes" two years before he proposed marriage.  Now expecting their fourth child, she says she has confidence the counseling Josh received "changed his life."

Except that Michelle Duggar told police her son never actually got counseling—he was sent to a family friend who was in the home remodeling business instead.

"The Duggars told police that Josh 'apologized' to the female minors and that they had 'forgiven' him," In Touch reports.

Jim Bob did eventually bring Josh to the Arkansas State Police in 2005—when he was 17—but it's not clear if it was because of another incident of sexual molestation.

Josh was suspected of sexual assault in the fourth degree but the state trooper who took Jim Bob’s statement never followed up. That officer was later convicted on child pornography charges and sentenced to 56 years in prison.

Related: "19 Kids And Counting" Homophobe Michelle Duggar Has A Gay Sister

Eventually the Arkansas State Police alerted the Crimes Against Children Division and Springdale Police Department about the situation, but by then the three-year statute of limitations had run out and the case couldn’t be pursued any further.

"During the 2006 investigation, multiple victims testified to police that Josh Duggar had sexually molested them," reports Raw Story. "The report said some of the underage victims lived with Jim Bob and Michelle, indicating they were his siblings."

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar told People they were "shocked" their eldest son had made some "very bad mistakes."

We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.

Even though we would never choose to go through something so terrible, each one of our family members drew closer to God. We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles every day. It is one of the reasons we treasure our faith so much because God's kindness and goodness and forgiveness are extended to us – even though we are so undeserving.

We hope somehow the story of our journey – the good times and the difficult times – cause you to see the kindness of God and learn that He can bring you through anything.

Apparently that includes unemployment: Josh has resigned his post with FRCAction, the political arm of the Family Research Council. It's a bitter irony that the FRC has so often linked homosexuality with pedophilia.

“While activists like to claim that pedophilia is a completely distinct orientation from homosexuality, evidence shows a disproportionate overlap between the two," said FRC President Tony Perkins in 2010. "It is a homosexual problem.”

Related: Petition Launched To Cancel “19 Kids” Because Of Duggars Anti-Gay Ways

Perkins addressed Josh's decision to resign, saying "we believe this is the best decision for Josh and his family at this time," and declaring the group "will be praying for everyone involved."

Better add some extra prayers, Tony: In April, RadarOnline, reported that Josh and Anna hadn't filed their IRS returns since 2009 and owed the state of Arkansas $14,000 in back taxes.

TLC, which has yet to address Josh's confession, is currently airing a 19 Kids and Counting marathon. Because of course they are.

h/t: The New Civil Rights Movement

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