Josh Taekman Apologizes After Ashley Madison Leak

Real Housewives of New York husband Josh Taekman has issued a public apology after reports surfaced revealing his name among the millions leaked in the hack of infidelity-focused dating site Ashley Madison. “I signed up for the site foolishly and ignorantly with a group of friends and I deeply apologize for any embarrassment or pain I have brought forward to my life and my family,” he told Us Weekly in a statement. “We both look forward to moving past this and getting on with our lives.”

Yesterday (August 24) the Daily Mail reported that Josh Taekman, husband of RHONY's Kristen Taekman, had an account with the site. The report claimed that he had spent thousands of dollars as a paying subscriber, with 62 transactions on the books. While the site is free, users must purchase credits to make contact with other people on the site. 

Josh initially denied any involvement. “I don’t understand. There’s not a shot in hell that I’m a subscriber,” he told the Daily Mail. “I have no knowledge of that. This is the first I’ve ever heard of it. This is crazy. I saw it on the TV the other day about the security breach and we were laughing about it. It is what it is but somebody is definitely fraudulently using my name and number.” The account had been traced to his phone number and the address of the Tribeca apartment that the entrepreneur shares with his wife and two children.

Although fans saw issues between the couple last season, Kristen revealed in a blog from this year that they were in a much better place and that the show had actually helped strengthen their relationship. “Josh and I are in a much better place. Sometimes you just lose sight of how important it is to be there for your partner. Work, kids, life get in the way so often,” she wrote. “What we must bear in mind always is that the partnership is primary and deserves constant attention and nurturing. Josh and I learned a lot from last season and are stronger for it.”