Josh Duggar says he's a 'hypocrite,' admits to cheating on wife

FOX 5 NY (NEW YORK) - After news surfaced this week that disgraced reality TV star Josh Duggar was among the 32 million users of the adultery website AshleyMadison.com, he admitted Thursday that he cheated on his wife, Anna Duggar, and called himself a "hypocrite," according to a statement posted to the family's website.

"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," Duggar wrote in the statement, which was released by his parents. "I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please pray for my precious wife Anna and our family during this time." (Read the full statement below.)

According to Gawker, Duggar, a married father of four and former director of the Family Research Council, paid nearly $1,000 during his two-year subscription to AshleyMadison.com.

His name, address and sexual preferences, and that of millions others were posted online Tuesday night by a group of hackers.

Duggar was accused of molesting five minors -- including four of his sisters -- when he was a teen, but he never faced charges, even after his parents made him go to the police about the incidents.

The revelation lead to the cancelation of the show starring Duggar and his family, "19 Kids and Counting."

As director of FRC, Duggar lobbied for "marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society."

According to Gawker, Duggar's interests included "conventional sex," "experimenting with toys," "one-night stands," and cuddling and hugging."

THE FULL STATEMENT

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.

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.

I brought hurt and a reproach to my family, close friends and the fans of our show with my actions that happened when I was 14-15 years old, and now I have re-broken their trust.

The last few years, while publicly stating I was fighting against immorality in our country, I was hiding my own personal failings.

As I am learning the hard way, we have the freedom to choose to our actions, but we do not get to choose our consequences. I deeply regret all hurt I have caused so many by being such a bad example.

I humbly ask for your forgiveness. Please pray for my precious wife Anna and our family during this time.

Josh Duggar