Joseph Duggar's jailhouse call exposes money scramble as he tries to rope in his brother to sell possessions

Joseph Duggar’s financial troubles were laid bare in a jailhouse phone call with his wife, as the couple discussed selling off their possessions to cover mounting legal fees.

Among the growing list of expenses was his $600,000 bond, after he was arrested on March 18 over allegations he molested a nine-year-old girl during a Florida vacation in 2020.

In the call, Duggar and his wife Kendra could be heard scrambling to raise cash, including by offloading vehicles, a pressure washer, a waterproof tarp and a wood splitter.

The couple also discussed enlisting Duggar’s brother Jed to help move some of the items.

'Maybe Jed [Duggar] can help us sell that one truck that we haven’t sold,' Duggar said in the call obtained by USWeekly.

Kendra indicated Jed had 'already' handled the truck by putting it 'on the lot,' as the pair shifted focus to what else they could sell off to bring in immediate cash. 

She went on to explain that Jed had been exploring selling off more of their belongings, including one of Joseph’s trailers.

‘He was thinking about selling your trailer and some other things,’ Kendra said.

So we need to talk about maybe next time, if you want to talk about selling some of the other things.’

Joseph appeared on board with the idea, pointing out that they had more than one trailer to begin with.

‘So probably just keep that one with different tools I have and get rid of the rest,’ he said.

Kendra also raised concerns about an outstanding payment, explaining they had struggled to verify the amount they were told they owed.

‘We tried to search for the exact number that they sent, and we couldn’t find that exact number,’ she recalled. ‘I do need to pay Gale. I need to write him a check at some point.’

Joseph then questioned whether the balance was $3,200, though Kendra clarified it was actually $6,200 - a figure he immediately disputed.

‘That’s what Jed said. Yeah but that doesn’t sound right,’ Kendra responded. 

'He’s like, “We need to call them and get proof.” So we haven’t paid him.’

The couple appeared unsure who needed to be paid, with Kendra questioning if Gale was the right contact as Joseph outlined what he believed they owed - $3,200 to a construction company and $600 to a structural engineer for work on their damaged home. 

The phone call leak comes after Duggars attorney Al Sauline revealed Duggar is feeling 'nervous, anxious, and worried' about what lies ahead, speaking to TMZ about the mounting stress.

According to the lawyer, Duggar is on edge due to the uncertainty surrounding the case, as he has 'no idea what evidence Florida prosecutors have' and won’t be allowed to see it until formal charges are filed.

Sauline also revealed that the defense team is grappling with a chaotic mix of conflicting evidence and rampant speculation. 

This makes it nearly impossible for them to separate fact from fiction, per Sauline. 

Sauline also emphasized to the outlet that the defense team’s top priority is ensuring Joseph is treated fairly throughout the legal process. 

Despite the mounting pressure, Joseph and his team continue to stand by his not guilty plea.

The lawyer also revealed that Duggar has 'good family support' since his release back to Arkansas on a $600K bond this week, which is helping him stay in 'good spirits' during such a challenging time.

However, it’s unclear which family members are offering support, as his father Jim Bob Duggar slammed his son’s 'terrible decisions' in a letter sent while Joseph was in jail.

Jim Bob, 60, sent an email to his son while he was being held at an Arkansas detention facility before being extradited to Florida. 

'You have made some terrible decisions, but God has already forgiven you if you have asked him,' he wrote, according to People. 

He urged Joseph to 'accept the situation' and warned him that he will 'most likely deal with major consequences for several years to come.'

Jim Bob also emphasized that both he and his wife, Michelle, still 'love' Joseph, but made it clear that he faces 'a long road ahead.'

In a striking message, Jim Bob added, '[Y]ou can also point people to Christ even through the time you’re in jail and prison.' He also referenced a Biblical figure, sharing, 'David in the Bible royally messed up, but he repented and became a man after God’s own heart.'

He concluded the letter by assuring Joseph, 'God is not finished with your life' and promised, 'we’ll keep praying for you.'

Days before the letter, Jim Bob and Michelle publicly addressed their son’s arrest for child molestation charges. 

Meanwhile, some of Joseph’s siblings have also spoken out, including his brother Josh, who is currently serving a 12-year sentence for possessing child pornography.

Jana and Jessa Duggar, two of Joseph’s sisters, have also made statements. 

Jana took to Instagram Stories on Thursday, condemning her brother’s actions as an 'unacceptable wrong.' 

'We are deeply saddened and heartbroken by the situation involving my brother, Joseph,' she wrote. 'This news came as a shock to us, as we had no prior knowledge before it became public.'

Jana continued, 'Our hearts are with the child who has been harmed – this is a grievous and unacceptable wrong. We continue to pray for the victim and for justice to be carried out.'

Jessa, in turn, shared her own heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing, 'We learned, along with the rest of the world, of the heartbreaking news involving my brother, Joseph, and we are deeply grieved. 

'Our hearts ache for this innocent young girl and the harm she has suffered. This is a profound wrong, and we know it grieves the heart of God, who cares deeply for children and the vulnerable.'

She concluded, 'We are lifting her up in prayer, asking for comfort, healing, and justice.'

The incident involving Duggar occurred in 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida during a vacation, according to authorities.

'As the vacation continued, he also asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,' officials said. 'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals.

'Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.'

He was also charged with lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, officials said.

Two days after Duggar's arrest, his wife Kendra was taken into custody on March 20 - but released later the same day after posting a $1,470 bond. 

Kendra faces four counts of child endangerment and four charges of false imprisonment. 

In a series of jail phone calls, she told Duggar that she was not with their children after her arrest.

Duggar and Kendra tied the knot in 2017 and are parents to four young children, ranging in ages from three to seven.