Reality television star Josh Duggar turned in his resignation to the Family Research Council and apologized for his "wrongdoing" on Thursday after a tabloid report made allegations that he molested several underage girls when he was a teenager.
The report, which was published online by In Touch Weekly, obtained an official police report in Arkansas related to the allegations. It claimed that Duggar's father, Jim Bob Duggar, waited more than a year after his son confessed to molesting several girls before contacting police.
"The report has been hidden since 2006 and was just obtained by the mag through a Freedom of information Act request," In Touch Weekly wrote. "Jim Bob also refused to allow police to interview Josh when they opened a felony investigation in 2006."
Although his name in the official police report was redacted, In Touch Weekly confirmed that 27-year-old Duggar was the person referred to within its passages. He issued a statement on Facebook on Thursday.
"Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret," Duggar said. "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."
Duggar added that he confessed his "wrongdoing" to authorities and that his parents arranged counseling for him "and those affected by my actions."
"I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life," Duggar wrote. "I sought forgiveness from those I had wronged and asked Christ to forgive me and come into my life. I would do anything to go back to those teen years and take different actions."
Josh's parents, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, also issued their own statement on the same Facebook post regarding the matter, which they said happened 12 years ago.
"When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked," Jim Bob and Michelle wrote. "We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before."
Josh's parents added that they "are not a perfect family" and also face "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," Jim Bob and Michelle wrote. "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."
According to Abby Ohlheiser, Sarah Pullam Bailey and Elahe Izadi of the Washington Post, Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, issued a statement that Duggar resigned "as a result of previously unknown information becoming public concerning events that occurred during his teenage years." The conservative Christian organization is best known for its opposition to same-sex marriage and its support for traditional family values.
"Josh believes that the situation will make it difficult for him to be effective in his current work," Perkins said.
Alicia C. Dennis of People published Duggar's resignation letter to the Family Research Council, where he served as an executive director.
"I deeply regret that recent media reports about my long ago past has brought negative attention to FRC Action and its work to preserve and advance the interests of family, faith, and freedom in the political arena," Duggar wrote.
Duggar added that he could not "allow Family Research Council to be impacted by mistakes I made as a teenager."
The Duggars have described themselves as an evangelical Christian family and star on the TLC show "19 Kids and Counting."
