Alex Jones, infamous for his involvement in the spread of conspiracy theories, has filed for personal bankruptcy amidst a legal battle with the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims. Jones has been ordered to pay over a billion dollars in damages to the families for defamation related to claims he made about the 2012 school shooting.
In a recent bankruptcy court filing in Texas, Jones proposed that the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims accept a settlement amount that would guarantee them $5.5 million annually for 10 years, with the potential for additional funds depending on Jones’ income. In addition, the families would receive 70% of the proceeds from the sale of Jones’ personal property not protected by bankruptcy law, in exchange for giving up all legal claims against him.
This plan comes after Jones filed for personal bankruptcy in December 2022, following two civil cases in which he lost. The lawsuits were related to false claims he made about the Sandy Hook school shooting, in which he baselessly stated that the massacre was staged and that the families and first responders were “crisis actors.”
Attorneys for the Sandy Hook families have raised concerns about Jones’ spending habits, stating that he has failed to make efforts to curb his spending in order to meet his financial obligations. Despite his bankruptcy filing, a federal bankruptcy judge ruled that Jones is still legally obligated to pay the majority of what the families have won in court.
The families have put forth their own proposal, suggesting that Jones pay them at least $8.5 million annually, along with a stake in his company, Free Speech Systems. If Jones does not accept this proposal, the families have threatened to demand full liquidation of his non-protected assets, potentially leading to a lifetime of litigation.
The latest filing from Jones comes just one day after the 11th anniversary of the Sandy Hook attack, a reminder of the ongoing legal battles that have stemmed from his defamatory remarks. A hearing for the judge to consider the latest proposal is scheduled for the end of February.
In the wake of these developments, the legal battle between Alex Jones and the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims continues to unfold, with both parties steadfast in their pursuit of justice.