Reality TV star Josh Duggar has resigned from his post as Executive Director of FRC Action after admitting to having molested five underage girls, including some of his own sisters, as a teen in 2002. A police report was filed in 2006, but no charges were filed. The statute of limitations had since passed.
Josh is the oldest of the 19 Duggar children featured on the TLC show "19 Kids and Counting." His wife, Anna, is pregnant with their fourth child.
In a statement released to People magazine, Josh admitted that the reports were true and that he is "extremely sorry" for his actions.
"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends," Josh, 27, tells PEOPLE in a statement. "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. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life."
Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar also released a statement via their family's Facebook page saying that the events 12 years ago were "difficult times" and brought the family closer to God. Josh's wife also said in a statement that Josh had informed her about his "past teenage mistakes" two years prior to their marriage.
The Family Research Council denied knowing anything about the allegations prior to hiring Josh.
TLC has yet to release a statement about the matter. Given that the network quickly canceled "Here Comes Honey Boo-Boo" after it was revealed that June Shannon, mother of "Honey Boo-Boo," was dating a man who had previously molested one of her other daughters, I wouldn't be too surprised to see "19 Kids and Counting" meet the same fate.
UPDATE: Reruns of the show have been pulled from TLC's lineup.
