JOSH Duggar has been accused of selling “broken” cars and “lying” to customers at his brother Jed’s dealership before his child pornography arrest, customers exclusively claimed to The Celeb Report.
Josh, 33, is just weeks away from trial for his April 2021 arrest for receiving and possessing child pornography.
Josh’s used car dealership, Wholesale Motorcars, closed down shortly after Homeland Security raided the Springdale, Arkansas lot in 2019 over an “ongoing federal investigation.”
The raid was in relation to the two child pornography charges that were later filed in 2021.
When Wholesale Motorcars closed down, Josh allegedly began working at Champion Motorcars, where his younger brother Jedidiah works as a manager.
‘LIES FOR A QUICK BUCK’
In an exclusive interview with The Celeb Report, customer Steve Strygulec claimed he bought a defected motorhome from Josh and Jed in April 2020.
Steve claimed: “Josh was the primary salesman showing us features, how to use it and deciding the price. Jed initially introduced himself as the owner, but every vehicle we asked about he had to go to Josh to ask information and what best price was they could do.”
Steve continued to claim that the RV was allegedly “misrepresented.”
He claimed: “We were told it was good and needed a few small fixes. Well, as soon as we got home, it rained. We found the roof was poorly repaired with plastic and was leaking.
“Water lines were bad, the hot water heater was broken. I asked them to test the water system, but they said they didn’t have a water hose to hookup. They said there was a recent oil change, but when I changed the oil it was black and sludgy. The filter was also old.
“They told us AC had been repaired, but when we finally found old papers hidden in a cabinet in the RV, there was an invoice showing the AC system was dead and needing significant repairs. Tons of other suspension and other issues.”
Steve said the RV was eventually repaired by him at a “significant cost.”
He added: “It’s sad. They try to charm you and say they are great at repairs and have maintained the vehicles. But come to find out it was all lies to make a quick buck.
“I wouldn’t ever consider buying from the family again. But hey, it’s a learning lesson!”
‘NO MORALS’
Ashley Thompson also claimed she had a “horrible” experience with a Champion Motorcars salesman, who she believes to be Josh, last year.
Ashley claimed to The Celeb Report: “I literally drove hours out of my way to look at and purchase a vehicle. The guy never showed up and never responded to me again. He had the nerve a week later tell me to drive hours away again for another vehicle.
“There are others who had some of the same experiences with them. I don’t have anything to hide. He knows he was doing people wrong. No morals or respect for others and that’s no way to run a business or establishment.”
Reps for the Duggar family and Champion Motorcars did not respond to The Celeb Report’s request for comment.
CHAMPION MOTORCARS REVIEWS
Champion Motorcars has received similar reviews on websites.
One Google review from last year read: “Terrible communication. Sometimes took 24 hours to respond to a text, sometimes wouldn’t respond at all. I talked to him on the phone several times, verifying that a car was still available and made sure he was aware that we were going to get a check from the bank and coming to see the car in the morning.
“He told me on the phone that he would make sure the car was ready and then texted me at 11:45pm the night before and told me that they sold the car.”
A Facebook review from nine months ago read: “Be honest!!!! We just bought a 2013 focus less than a week ago for $5,500 and it’s already broken down with two issues. Y’all had to have known it had serious issues. I’m crushed!!!”
Another customer from a year ago wrote: “Was interested in an advertised car, nobody ever returned my call or text.”
But other customers had good experiences, as one commented on Google last year: “Champion Motorcars has reasonable pricing and great service. I was looking at the 2015 Rogue but God had a different plan for me and with a little bit of prayer and patience the perfect vehicle for me became available.
“Jed was extremely helpful and friendly. I would definitely buy a car from them again.”
Another wrote last year on Google: “I bought my car here and I feel like I got a great deal on a good car. They don’t try to up sale their vehicles to make a bunch of money off you. The service was great. They gave me honest information about my car. I really appreciate the care they took when taking care of me.”
A review from two years ago read: “My truck purchase through these guys was fantastic! Great inventory and amazing low prices!”
YouTube channel Without A Crystal Ball reported from sources that Josh currently works at Champion Motorcars, as he has reportedly been seen walking around the lot.
According to Josh’s conditions of release obtained by The Celeb Report, Josh is allowed to work, as he is restricted to home confinement except for employment, religious services, medical and more.
JOSH’S CHILD PORNOGRAPHY ARREST
The indictment read Josh “knowingly received child pornography” between or about May 14, 2019 and on or about May 16, 2019.
For the second count, Josh “knowingly possessed material that contained images of child pornography,” including “images of minors under the age of 12.”
An HP desktop computer from the car lot, a MacBook laptop in an RV Josh arrived in and Josh’s cell phone were confiscated by authorities at the time of the raid at his now-closed lot.
Josh has pleaded not guilty to the two child pornography charges against him.
The Celeb Report previously reported Josh had until October 18 to accept a plea agreement and change his non-guilty plea.
No change of plea was filed.
If Josh files a change of plea after October 18, it will be considered an “open plea,” meaning he will plead guilty without the benefit of a plea agreement.
The court, however, could grant an exception if they are able to show good cause up to 10 days before trial.
Trial has been set for November 30.
The former 19 Kids and Counting star is currently on home confinement until his trial and is living with third party custodians LaCount and Maria Reber, who are longtime friends of Jim Bob and Michelle.
The Arkansas judge on the case ordered Josh to wear a GPS ankle monitor.
Josh’s wife Anna, who is pregnant with their seventh child and due any day now, is standing by her husband.
Josh has unlimited access to his children with Anna present.
The family’s reality show Counting On, which Josh has not appeared on, was canceled in light of the scandal.
