MEAWW.COM / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Did Mike Huckabee help destroy Josh Duggar's sex abuse records? Ex-Arkansas gov defended sex pest in the past

Reportedly, it was Judge Stacey Zimmerman who ordered the Springdale Police Department to destroy the documents that reported the sexual abuse accusations against Josh Duggar. Interestingly, Huckabee had alleged connections with Judge Zimmerman

Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who has come under fire time and again for his racist quips, has been found to have defended disgraced reality star Josh Duggar in the past. Duggar, who was recently indicted on charges of child pornography and molestation, was defended by Huckabee in 2015, despite Duggar himself admitting that his actions were "inexcusable."

"Josh’s actions when he was an underage teen are as he described them himself, 'inexcusable,' but that doesn’t mean 'unforgivable'," Huckabee wrote in a Facebook post, according to a report by ABC News. He also slammed people for "sensationalizing" molestation allegations. Meanwhile, it has resurfaced now that Judge Stacey Zimmerman, who had alleged connections with Huckabee, ordered the Springdale Police Department to expunge the original reports against Duggar. 

READ MORE

What is Josh Duggar's net worth? Disgraced ex-reality star arrested, 'brings them closer,' says family

Is Mike Huckabee racist? Former Arkansas gov says he wants to 'identify as Chinese' to get coke, free Nike shoes

Did Mike Huckabee defend Josh Duggar?

In May 2015, when the charges of child molestation against Josh Duggar first surfaced, he received ample support from Mike Huckabee. The former governor of Arkansas defended him in his Facebook post, implying that being honest and open with the survivors amended his deplorable actions.

"He and his family dealt with it and were honest and open about it with the victims and the authorities. No purpose whatsoever is served by those who are now trying to discredit Josh or his family by sensationalizing the story. Good people make mistakes and do regrettable and even disgusting things," Huckabee stated on Facebook. 

Huckabee has reportedly been close with the Duggar family for a long time over their shared regards for Christian values. In fact, his campaign website often used to feature photos of endorsements by the Duggar family who starred in the reality show '19 Kids and Counting'. In a tweet dating back to 2015, Josh Duggar even referred to Mike Huckabee as his "friend." 

As a teenager, Duggar was investigated in 2006 for inappropriately touching minors. Confessing about his actions, Duggar stated in 2015, "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."

"It is such times as this, when real friends show up and stand up. Today, Janet and I want to show up and stand up for our friends," Huckabee had said. 

Huckabee's link with Judge Stacey Zimmerman

According to a 2015 report by Radar, it was Judge Stacey Zimmerman who ordered the Springdale Police Department to destroy the documents that reported the sexual abuse accusations against Duggar. 

"The judge ordered us yesterday to expunge that record. As far as the Springdale Police Department is concerned this report doesn't exist," the then Springdale Police spokesman Scott Lewis had stated at the time. 

Interestingly, Huckabee had alleged connections with Judge Zimmerman. According to her website, she was elected twice by the former Arkansas Governor to serve on numerous committees. 

"Josh Duggar confessed to molesting his sisters, but Mike Huckabee excused him, and a judge with ties to Huckabee ordered the previous police report of Duggar’s sexual abuse of children destroyed," Huffpost correspondent Sarah Reese Jones stated in a recent tweet.