19 kids and counting alleged extortion plot: singer laughs off intimate photos

[jltplk25]

It appears the Duggars squeaky-clean rep will remain just that (for now, anyway).

The older man in the alleged "compromising" photos with 25-year-old Amy Duggar (the daughter of Jim Bob Duggar's older sister) thinks the whole extortion attempt is nothing more than humorous fodder.

MORE: 19 Kids and Counting's Duggar Family Target of Alleged Extortion Plot Over "Intimate" Photos

"We're all laughing about it," 56-year-old James Garrett told the Quad City Times Monday.

In the photo in question, which Garrett shared with the Times, he is standing next to Amy onstage at the Little Opry Theater in Branson, Mo., and the shot looks rather innocent.

They're "totally benign," Garrett went on. 

MORE: 19 Kids and Counting Returns as the Duggars Hit the Slopes

Just like Amy, who referred to Garrett as a "longtime family friend," Garrett denied all claims of an inappropriate relationship with her as well.

While Garrett said Amy occasionally performs in his John Denver Tribute shows, he also said the duo has never been alone together....and the Duggar family could "vouch" for that.  

Just in case you missed it, Iowa resident Teresa Hunt was charged with one count of extortion after she allegedly demanded the cancellation of 19 Kids and Counting or $10,000 from TLC's parent company, Discovery Communications, in exchange for not releasing photos of Amy and Garret in "apparently intimate situations" to the media. 

"When Amy called me and told me about the extortion plot, I laughed so hard," Garrett said of Hunt's claims.

The photos referred to in court documents, which reportedly weren't event shot by Hunt, show Garrett with his arm around Amy in a restaurant and the pair backstage after a performance in Tennessee

Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/19_kids_counting_alleged_extortion_plot/294384#ixzz1mQ5M1BgA

[piercedbeauty21]

Wtf? Why can't people just leave this family alone in peace. They haven't done anything to anybody!

[BeachMommy07]

 Now that makes for some weird news!

[.Bubbles.]

I don't even know what to say to this it is all just so crazy.

[jbyrd898]

weird!

[sPiCyNiNjAkItTy]

 This is why I would never put my family in the spotlight.