Alex Jones Seeks Asset Liquidation to Pay Sandy Hook Families

Alex Jones, the founder of InfoWars, has requested a court to convert his personal bankruptcy filing into a Chapter 7 liquidation, as he faces immense legal pressure to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre victims. This move comes after Jones was sued for defamation by the families for spreading baseless conspiracy theories about the 2012 shooting.

In a recent court filing, Jones’ lawyers stated that he had “no reasonable prospect for a successful reorganization” of his debts and that continuing to pursue reorganization would only incur additional expenses. If granted, the liquidation would result in Jones relinquishing control over InfoWars and its parent company, Free Speech Systems.

During his show last weekend, Jones broke down in tears, accusing the “deep state” of trying to shut down his show, though he provided no evidence to support his claims.

Free Speech Systems, the parent company of InfoWars, has also filed for bankruptcy protection and is undergoing restructuring. Last week, the families of the Sandy Hook victims filed an emergency motion urging the bankruptcy court to force the company into liquidation. Despite this, the bankruptcy judge overseeing the case has allowed Jones to continue running the business until June 14. A hearing is scheduled for next Friday to further address the matter.

In 2022, the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre victims won defamation lawsuits against Jones in both Connecticut and Texas. The mass shooting claimed the lives of 26 people, including 20 children aged six and seven. Jones, however, used his platform to promote the false conspiracy that the shooting was staged and that the victims and their families were crisis actors.

After being ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages, both Jones and Free Speech Systems filed for bankruptcy protection. In December, Jones proposed a settlement to pay the families at least $55 million over ten years, a deal that was unanimously rejected by the families.

Between September 2015 and the end of 2018, InfoWars’ store made $165 million from merchandise sales, according to court filings made by Jones. This significant revenue highlights the financial capacity of InfoWars during that period, further complicating the bankruptcy and liquidation proceedings.

As the legal battle continues, the families of the Sandy Hook victims remain steadfast in their pursuit of justice and accountability for the spread of harmful conspiracy theories. The outcome of the upcoming hearing and the potential liquidation of Jones’ assets will be closely watched by many, as it will have significant implications for both Jones and the affected families.