The Duggar family of TLC’s 19 Kids and Counting reality show have been faced with a new dilemma that is not in keeping with their normal low-key Christian values.
Amy Duggar, the 25-year-old niece of Jim Bob Duggar, is speaking out about a case of extortion that was perpetrated against her and TLC within the past few weeks.
An Iowa woman, Teresa Hunt, sent a letter to the cable network demanding $10,000 and the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting in exchange for photos showing Amy Duggar in “intimate situations” with a 56-year-old male acquaintance and fellow musician.
Hunt was arrested on Feb. 1, 2012 after The Discovery Channel turned over an envelope to the FBI that included the woman’s name and a Bettendorf, Iowa address.
The envelope contained a business card for Perfect Pictures and bore the name of Teresa Sullivan Hunt. Among the other contents were a typed letter and a handwritten note threatening to go to national magazines with the story and compromising images.
She has been charged in U.S. District Court in Davenport, Iowa.
Amy, who accompanied the Duggar family during a 20-day European world tour that was filmed for their reality show, has issued a statement denying the allegations.
She said: “It’s totally untrue. James is a long time family friend who has always been supportive of my music career. He’s a good Christian and it’s upsetting that his generosity has been exploited like this.”
Check out a family photo that was captured during the family’s European travels. Amy is seen standing next to Uncle Jim Bob:
Photo: Twitter-Amy Duggar, Video Screen Grab