Relatives of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims are requesting a bankruptcy judge to liquidate Alex Jones' company, Free Speech Systems, which includes Infowars. This follows a $1.5 billion judgment against Jones for promoting false claims that the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut mass shooting—which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six educators—was a hoax designed to enforce stricter gun control laws.
The families' lawyers assert that Jones' company has no feasible reorganization plan and cannot begin to satisfy the court’s judgment. A hearing on this matter is scheduled in Houston.
Jones, based in Austin, Texas, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection following the lawsuits in Texas and Connecticut. He claimed via his show over the weekend that there is a conspiracy against him and predicted Infowars’ shutdown within months. Financial records indicate Jones has approximately $9 million in assets and substantial monthly living expenses, while Free Speech Systems reported $3.2 million in income for April, primarily from selling supplements and other products.
The Sandy Hook families have proposed an annual payment of at least $8.5 million for 10 years from Jones, plus 50% of any income exceeding $9 million, or the liquidation of Jones' assets to fulfill the judgment.