Josh Duggar Scandals, From Ashley Madison To Sex Addiction, Cause Ban From TLC Shows As Anna Duggar Debates Divorce

Josh Duggar once was known as only as the oldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar before he became the scandal-plagued member of the 19 Kids And Counting clan. What happened and when to change the seemingly virtuous big brother and son to an embarrassment for the Duggar family?

A timeline of Josh’s scandals begins with the reports that he had molested several underage girls, including some of his own sisters. Those reports were followed by news that Josh had used the Ashley Madison website for arranging martial affairs, Duggar’s confession that he had cheated on his wife, Anna, and his admission that he is addicted to pornography, reported Us Weekly.

But no one dreamed when the Duggar family show began in autumn 2008 that it would end in scandal — and that the scandals wouldn’t stop even after TLC yanked the show from its schedule. Initially called 17 Kids and Counting, the increasingly-watched show was renamed 19 Kids and Counting.

But then, as viewers continued to praise the seemingly perfect family, in spring, 2015, the news broke that Josh had reportedly molested five underage girls in the early 2002. Then a teenager, Duggar was married to Anna, with whom he now has four children, when he described what he had done on the Duggar family Web site and social media.

“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. I confessed this to my parents who took several steps to help me address the situation.”

Those steps included confessing what he had done to authorities and getting counseling both for Josh and those who had been molested by him.

TLC yanked 19 Kids and Counting from its broadcast schedule, and the advertisers essential for keeping the Duggar family’s show on the air quickly bowed out, including General Mills and Walgreens.

The scandal received even more publicity when Jill and Jessa, both married, told Megyn Kelly on Fox News that they had been molested by Josh. Jim Bob also discussed the history of what happened, revealing that Josh had confessed to his parents.

Josh subsequently resigned his job and moved with Anna back to Duggarville as TLC permanently canceled 19 Kids And Counting. But the oldest Duggar son kept posting on social media, including the news that Anna had given birth to their fourth child.

“Announcing the arrival of Meredith Grace Duggar!” posted Josh.

The father of four still had a young baby when the news broke that the data released from hackers about Ashley Madison included credit card details and email messages linked to Josh.

Duggar had allegedly used the infidelity website between February, 2013, and May, 2015. As for the billing address for that user whose interest included sex toy experimentation and one-night stands? It was associated with Duggar family grandma, Mary.

Josh confessed on the Duggar family Web site again.

“I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife.”

With her husband now in rehab following the latest confession, Anna Duggar has retreated to Florida to stay with her own parents, reported Hollywood Life.

“She’s having a tough time and needed the support, so she took the kids and moved back in with her mom. Josh is still in rehab getting no doctor supervision whatsoever,” said an insider.

But will Anna remain in Florida and leave Josh? It depends on whether she’s influenced more by her parents or some of her siblings.

An insider revealed that Anna’s parents are more strict than Michelle and Jim Bob, reported People. Moreover, a source shared that Anna seems to have taken Michelle as her role model since living in Duggarville.

“She has acted more like Michelle,” added that source. “She talks like her, real soft. She, like, whispers.”

As a result, with Michelle and Jim Bob against divorce as well as Anna’s parents, the insider feels that she probably will not split from Josh.

“[Anna’s parents] always taught their kids that divorce was never an option,” said the source.

However, as the Inquisitr reported, her brother, Daniel, is urging her to leave Josh. Using social media to share his feelings, Keller challenged those who defended Josh.

“I have told her I would pay for her to move out here w me and pay for her kidz [sic]. I don’t think josh will see that this is a big deal and be truly broken till that happens,” said Daniel. “I tell you who I don’t give a s*** about is that pig she calls her husband… I won’t stop trying to get that pig out of our family.”

And while Daniel battles to get Anna to leave Josh, TLC has banned the scandal-plagued member of the Duggar family from the upcoming specials arranged for Josh’s sisters, Jessa and Jill Duggar, reported Yahoo Parenting.

TLC will feature two to three shows about pregnant Jessa, married to Ben Seewald, and Jill, wedded to Derick Dillard. However, a production insider revealed that TLC has banned Josh from the specials, as well as future programs.

“What we will be following in these specials is Jessa preparing for her first child,” revealed TLC Executive Vice President and General Manager Nancy Daniels, “and we’ll be watching Jill preparing to make a major move to Central America with her family.”

[Two Photos by Brendan Hoffman / Getty Images; Two Photos by Carl Court / Getty Images]