Officials seek immunity in Duggar privacy lawsuit

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas officials are seeking immunity from being sued for releasing decadeold information about a sexual abuse investigation involving Josh Duggar and four of his sisters.

Jill Duggar Dillard, Jessa Duggar Seewald, Jinger Duggar Vuolo and Joy Duggar filed a lawsuit in May against the city of Spring-dale and Washington County, Ark., alleging officials breached their privacy by giving InTouch Weekly, a celebrity magazine, investigation documents that revealed their identities. The magazine had requested the documents under a Freedom of Information Act request.

The documents were related to an investigation into allegations Josh Duggar had molested his sisters between March 2002 and March 2003 when they were minors.

“It’s despicable what happened here. There’s no greater violation of a young person than to tell the world about their sexual assault,” said Steven Bledsoe, an attorney for the Duggar sisters. “Any details about the sexual assault of a minor are not subject to disclosure under FOIA.”

City and county officials have asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed, arguing they qualify for immunity from being sued and that the information released was public knowledge.

Judge Tim Brooks held a hearing on the case Monday and is expected to issue a written order soon, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette reported.