Josh & Anna Smuggar: A Series of Unfortunate Events

[Zella]

4 minutes ago, Churchhoney said:

For some reason, Homeland Security does investigate some child porn stuff on its own. They have their own units doing it that don't necessarily work with the FBI.....They pretty much get into anything that involves stuff that may be on computers/the Internet.....which is how they get into child porn, financial crimes -- lots of stuff you wouldn't think they'd be the lead or lone agency on. 

Creeps me out, actually. 

Ah okay--that's very interesting! I had no idea how many different types of things Homeland Security investigated before this. 

[awaken]

50 minutes ago, Lukeysboat said:

From Katie Joy’s Twitter feed (@WOACrystalBall):

“11/19/19, 8:51 PM

So far it’s looking like distribution of child pornography under the age of 15 with ICE involved it’s looking like images went international...and possibly multiple Duggar men involved”

https://twitter.com/woacrystalball/status/1196969212838846465?s=21

Oh dear god, I really hope this isn’t it. What do they mean multiple images went international?  The pics of the raid or what they found in the home?

22 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

So what are we thinking? Cancelled or will TLC hedge and wait to see how things play out?

They’ll hedge. If they didn’t cancel before, they won’t now. Numbers will increase I bet, due to curiosity and hate watching. I’m sure even now they’re reveling in the increased news coverage. 

[Oldernowiser]

22 minutes ago, Giant Misfit said:

Not necessarily. I've no doubt they seized computers and other electronics in the raid. They still need to go through them.

I would think that between the Duggars’ high profile and their political and religious connections HSI would have to have some impressive evidence just to get a warrant?

Edited November 20, 2019 by Oldernowiser

[galaxygirl76]

22 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

We don't know where Smuggar is at the moment.

Have we seen Boob? Meeechelle posted a picture of her 'getting back in the swing of things' but I don't remember seeing Boob. 

[Marshmallow Mollie]

No doubt someone is keeping an eye on where Duggar Aviation is flying. We know they can fly international 

[StaceyNotStacie]

1 minute ago, awaken said:

They’ll hedge. If they didn’t cancel before, they won’t now. Numbers will increase I bet, due to curiosity and hate watching. I’m sure even now they’re reveling in the increased news coverage. 

I think it depends on how bad things turn out. If it’s just Josh, I can see them ignoring it on screen and keeping the show on the air. If it extends to more family members, I can see TLC cutting their losses. 

[Zella]

Just now, Stacey1014 said:

I think it depends on how bad things turn out. If it’s just Josh, I can see them ignoring it on screen and keeping the show on the air. If it extends to more family members, I can see TLC cutting their losses. 

That's what I am thinking. If it is Josh, they'll spin it as "Oh he's not on the show." But if it's more of the family than just him, it might just get cancelled. I think it also might depend on the charges. If it's something like child porn or human trafficking, I think they're more likely to be cancelled than if it is something financial. Just a guess. 

PS I have a local news channel on right now--not my favorite 9 pm one, that one went away 😞 --and nothing is being covered yet. I might have to wait for the main 10 pm newscast on another channel. 

[Oldernowiser]

6 minutes ago, galaxygirl76 said:

Have we seen Boob? Meeechelle posted a picture of her 'getting back in the swing of things' but I don't remember seeing Boob. 

Kind of explains why she was so breathy...she’s probably scared shitless.

[galaxychaser]

Counting on: prison edition 

I would watch that 

[StaceyNotStacie]

I doubt it will make our local news since we’re in Virginia. I’ll be watching the morning shows tomorrow (GMA, etc) to see if they mention it. 

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Stacey1014 said:

I doubt it will make our local news since we’re in Virginia. I’ll be watching the morning shows tomorrow (GMA, etc) to see if they mention it. 

Yeah I doubt it will be on most local news channels, but I'm in northwest Arkansas, so if it's not covered on the local news here, that'd surprise me. 

[tabloidlover]

Duggars are denying it happened..  what the actual fuck?

https://people.com/tv/duggar-family-home-raided-by-homeland-security-investigations/

Edited November 20, 2019 by tabloidlover
Denying... not denting 🤦🏼‍♀️😂

[Oldernowiser]

14 minutes ago, galaxychaser said:

Counting on: prison edition 

I would watch that 

Counting On: Knocked up or Locked Up

[Guest]

Anna's (and Jed's) Instagram comments are all open. However, not one negative comment has been posted. I'm assuming they hired someone (or some company) to immediately delete anything negative posted because, from my cursory checking, there seems to be nothing but praise on the pictures posted. 

[Sew Sumi]

1 minute ago, tabloidlover said:

Duggars are denting it happened..  what the actual fuck?

https://people.com/tv/duggar-family-home-raided-by-homeland-security-investigations/

Yeah, DFO just posted a denial on FB.

[Temperance]

I have no f*cking clue what's going on and I'm a little freaked. 

Also I don't trust Crystal Ball Katie.

[Zella]

Just now, Sew Sumi said:

Yeah, DFO just posted a denial on FB.

Bahahaha That's hilarious. They're playing he said she said with the federal government?! 

[Temperance]

I hope it's for what happened in the Bahamas. They deserve to be called out for that and for the mediccorp charity name and all. 

Edited November 20, 2019 by Temperance

[galaxychaser]

8 minutes ago, Oldernowiser said:

Counting On: Knocked up or Locked Up

Knocked up while locked up.

[Future Cat Lady]

6 minutes ago, Temperance said:

I hope it's for what happened in the Bahamas. They deserve to be called out for that and for the mediccorp charity name and all. 

But Josh is not involved in that. 

[Temperance]

If they raided the TTH and Josh's business, then probably most of the marrieds aren't involved. Josh/Anna maybe and JB/Michelle, but none of the married girls and most of the married sons are out right?

[BitterApple]

I'm completely confused. Duggars are denying, multiple news sources are quoting Homeland, confirming. I'm assuming People wouldn't publish without fact-checking, so what gives?

[Sew Sumi]

Semantics, probably.

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, BitterApple said:

I'm completely confused. Duggars are denying, multiple news sources are quoting Homeland, confirming. I'm assuming People wouldn't publish without fact-checking, so what gives?

Yeah I don't think People would go to press without fact-checking. Also, just as far as local sources go, Channel 5 (the local CBS affiliate) is usually the most trusted/most widely viewed channel around here. When they ran this earlier tonight, that convinced me something went down. I am currently waiting for Channel 5's 10 o clock newscast. The 9 o clock one on a different channel didn't show anything, but I don't really like that channel anyway. 

[Oldernowiser]

Is the original source the local news channel?

 I find it hard to believe that a local news channel would run a story made up out of thin air given the local prominence of the Duggars. They did cite an unnamed source who “wouldn’t deny” a raid had happened but parts were bracketed as if they’d been paraphrased. If it turns out that the HSI source was faked or if the actual comment was, “I can’t confirm or deny” or words to that effect, someone is getting fired, at a minimum.

Would People run with it given the local news channel source? Probably. I don’t think of People as being a bastion of journalistic standards.

As for Crystal Ball whatever...that’s just internet chatter. It’s that local news report that really got this rolling again.

Now do I believe the Duggars would lie? Hell, yes.

[scriggle]

5 minutes ago, Sew Sumi said:

Semantics, probably.

It wasn't a "raid" the feds just showed up with a warrant. 😇

[Oldernowiser]

1 minute ago, scriggle said:

It wasn't a "raid" the feds just showed up with a warrant. 😇

And looked through some stuff. And borrowed a couple of thumb drives. But we gave them banana muffins and sang for them! Yay!

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Oldernowiser said:

Is the original source the local news channel?

 I find it hard to believe that a local news channel would run a story made up out of thin air given the local prominence of the Duggars. They did cite an unnamed source who “wouldn’t deny” a raid had happened but parts were bracketed as if they’d been paraphrased. If it turns out that the HSI source was faked or if the actual comment was, “I can’t confirm or deny” or words to that effect, someone is getting fired, at a minimum.

Would People run with it given the local news channel source? Probably. I don’t think of People as being a bastion of journalistic standards.

As for Crystal Ball whatever...that’s just internet chatter. It’s that local news report that really got this rolling again.

Now do I believe the Duggars would lie? Hell, yes.

I don't believe Channel 5 broke it. I think KNWA (the NBC affiliate) did. I don't get NBC, so I can't watch their newscast. 

Edited November 20, 2019 by Zella

[babyhouseman]

This reminds me of the blind item that implied Derrick was up to no good in a foreign country. But since this is Duggar related, Derrick is probably not involved. 

[Zella]

IT'S THE FIRST STORY ON THE 10'O CLOCK NEWS! 

[Oldernowiser]

1 minute ago, Zella said:

IT'S THE FIRST STORY ON THE 10'O CLOCK NEWS! 

Yowza.

[Zella]

Channel 5 is only saying the business was what was raided and not mentioning any houses being searched. They noted that same wording about officials "not disputing" the information about an investigation. They also screencapped the Duggar denial. Then they rather gloriously recapped Josh's various scandals over the past few years, with a note this isn't the first time the Duggars have been the center of notoriety. 

Not going to say the house wasn't searched, but that is not what Channel 5 is currently saying. 

Edited November 20, 2019 by Zella

[Sew Sumi]

3 minutes ago, Zella said:

IT'S THE FIRST STORY ON THE 10'O CLOCK NEWS! 

Well, now the Duggars can sue. 😂

[SuspiciousMind]

Excellent and concise report, Zella. Thank you.

[Zella]

Just now, SuspiciousMind said:

Excellent and concise report, Zella. Thank you.

Thank you! I'll keep an eye on the local coverage. Maybe some more breadcrumbs will tumble out. 🙂 

[farmgal4]

3 hours ago, PikaScrewChu said:

Imma just leave this here. Apparently Homeland Security did do a raid after all.

https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/knwa/homeland-security-investigations-raid-duggar-home/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KNWA_-_Northwest_Arkansas_News

Wow.  Can someone summarize Josh’s real estate fraud charge, please?  What’s that about?

[Zella]

1 minute ago, farmgal4 said:

Wow.  Can someone summarize Josh’s real estate fraud charge, please?  What’s that about?

That was news to me too. Radar said this earlier this year:

https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2019/04/josh-duggar-sued-real-estate-battle-involving-fraud/

[ChaChaSlide]

1 hour ago, BitterApple said:

Holy shit. How reliable is this Katie?

1 hour ago, Sew Sumi said:

She has contacts in NWA.

I’m pretty sure she was also at the heart of all the DV allegations with Amber Portwood from Teen Mom OG... she seems like an internet notoriety chaser, and with her backing off her previous statement about the Duggar’s but then doubling down and including allegations against even more people when the DHS raid came out... IDK if I believe her. 

[luvbadtv]

Sounds like the Duggars may just be as cocky as the Giudices were.  Why air your life on a tv show if you are doing something illegal?

[cmr2014]

2 minutes ago, luvbadtv said:

Sounds like the Duggars may just be as cocky as the Giudices were.  Why air your life on a tv show if you are doing something illegal?

Because Jesus is watching over them and protecting them from the godless government.

[Sew Sumi]

The Duggars (aside from Smuggar) are Teflon. 

[Temperance]

The Josh real estate scandal was also mentioned in People. 

"Currently, Josh is in the middle of a real estate lawsuit. In September, KARK.com reported that a three-day jury trial is set for Josh, who is “accused of fraud and is being sued for ‘quiet title’ and breaching a contract, according to court records.” The trial reportedly begins April 27, 2020."

[BitterApple]

A notification just popped up on my phone. InTouch has picked up the story.

[PikaScrewChu]

Dear Duggars

I know you don't read here so maybe I should post this on Reddit since we know you read there. 

I know you run on "Duggar time" and think it is quite adorable. However, the time to issue a public statement about internet rumors that have been swirling around since Saturday night is not around 10 pm EST the following Tuesday. You get a PR firm on that and write a statement ASAP. I'm not sure if you've noticed but people who snark on your family run from mild "heh look at Joe's photoshopped bicep" to people who want to see you launched into a black hole to never be heard from again. The longer you let the rumors swirl, the longer you allowed them to gain traction and gain a life of their own. Then journalists from legitimate news organizations start digging. Sometimes journalists find nothing. Other times they find things that are a complete ol' what the fuck. This time it seems like they found something. 

I thought the lot of you had learned your lesson after 2015. It seems not. <insert shocked Pikachu face> If you are actually doing illegal shit, stop it. If you want to keep doing illegal shit but keep your TV show, stop trying to push your uneducated spawn into politics.

Yours truly,

PikaScrewChu

[Oldernowiser]

Standing ovation, PikaScrewChu.

Bravissimo!

[farmgal4]

1 hour ago, BitterApple said:

So what are we thinking? Cancelled or will TLC hedge and wait to see how things play out?

They’ll take the wait and see approach.

[farmgal4]

1 hour ago, JoanArc said:

"He went out for cigarettes!" -Anna

“And a 6-pack!”🍺

[PikaScrewChu]

6 minutes ago, Oldernowiser said:

Standing ovation, PikaScrewChu.

Bravissimo!

But seriously heh, they photoshopped a bicep on Joe!

I forgot to put in that they thought Joe and Kendra's exclusive baby shoot would distract too. Once you get to the umpteenth grandchild, no one cares. Pull out the big guns, like all of a sudden renouncing how you treated the LGBTQ community if you want to distract and deflect. 

I'm utterly shocked that the family has been chasing fame for how long and has been burned so many times doesn't even know how to stop an internet rumor in its tracks. Troy McClure was better at keeping his fish fetish under wraps FFS.

[galaxychaser]

1 hour ago, scriggle said:

It wasn't a "raid" the feds just showed up with a warrant. 😇

They brought Starbucks and donuts. 

[Oldernowiser]

1 hour ago, Zella said:

Thank you! I'll keep an eye on the local coverage. Maybe some more breadcrumbs will tumble out. 🙂 

I feel like you’re our reporter on the front lines...our own Christiane Amanpour!