Families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, who won nearly $1.5 billion in legal judgments against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, have proposed settling for a significantly lower amount. This offer comes amidst Jones’ bankruptcy proceedings, where he is attempting to manage his financial obligations. The families have suggested a settlement of at least $85 million to be paid over 10 years, a fraction of the original judgment.
This settlement offer was presented in Jones’ personal bankruptcy case in Houston. Lawyers representing the families stated in legal documents that they believe this proposal offers a practical path forward in resolving the bankruptcy reorganizations for both Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.
However, the legal representatives for the families did not hold back in their criticism of the Infowars host. They accused Jones of continuing his lavish spending habits and failing to protect his assets. They further claimed he has been uncooperative in selling assets and providing necessary financial documentation.
Infowars founder Alex Jones in court during the Sandy Hook defamation damages trial in New London, Conn. on Sept. 22, 2022.Infowars founder Alex Jones in court during the Sandy Hook defamation damages trial in New London, Conn. on Sept. 22, 2022, highlighting the legal battles he faces regarding payments to Sandy Hook families.
“Jones has failed in every way to serve as the fiduciary mandated by the Bankruptcy Code in exchange for the breathing spell he has enjoyed for almost a year. His time is up,” the Sandy Hook families’ lawyers asserted, expressing their frustration with the ongoing bankruptcy process and Jones’ conduct.
The families presented Jones with two options: liquidate his assets to pay creditors or commit to a payment plan of at least $8.5 million annually for a decade, along with 50% of any yearly income exceeding $9 million. This proposal aims to ensure some financial accountability from Jones despite his bankruptcy claims.
During a court hearing in Houston, Vickie Driver, Jones’ bankruptcy lawyer, indicated that the proposed $85 million settlement over 10 years was likely too demanding and unrealistic for Jones to meet.
“There are no financials that will ever show that Mr. Jones ever made that … in 10 years,” she argued, suggesting Jones’ financial capacity might not align with the families’ settlement expectations.
In a bankruptcy plan submitted on November 18, Free Speech Systems suggested they could manage approximately $4 million in annual payments to creditors. This is a decrease from earlier estimates this year, which ranged from $7 million to $10 million per year. The company projected revenues of about $19.2 million for the upcoming year from sales of supplements, merchandise, and apparel promoted by Jones on his platforms, while anticipating operational costs, including salaries, to reach around $14.3 million.
Jones’ most recent financial filings listed his total assets at around $13 million, including approximately $856,000 in bank accounts. These figures provide a glimpse into his personal finances amidst the bankruptcy proceedings and the pressure to compensate the Sandy Hook families.
Initially, under bankruptcy court orders, Jones received a bi-weekly salary of $20,000, amounting to $520,000 annually. However, a court-appointed restructuring officer recently increased Jones’ bi-weekly pay to about $57,700, or $1.5 million per year, arguing he was “grossly” underpaid considering his crucial role in the media company’s operations and revenue generation.
However, Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez overruled this pay raise, stating it appeared to be improperly executed under bankruptcy regulations. He mandated a hearing to properly assess the justification for such a significant salary increase during bankruptcy proceedings, casting doubt on whether Alex Jones will actually receive this higher salary and further complicating the question of how much Will Alex Jones Have To Pay.
Ultimately, if Jones rejects the families’ settlement offer, Judge Lopez will be responsible for determining the amount Jones will be required to pay to the families and other creditors. This decision will significantly impact the financial future of Alex Jones and the extent to which the Sandy Hook families will be compensated for the damages caused by his false claims.
The legal battles stem from Jones’ repeated false claims that the tragic 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, was a hoax. He propagated these conspiracy theories on his Infowars platform, leading to immense suffering for the victims’ families.
Following these defamatory statements, numerous Sandy Hook victims’ relatives pursued legal action against Jones in both Connecticut and Texas, resulting in judgments against him totaling nearly $1.5 billion. In October, Judge Lopez had already ruled that Jones could not use bankruptcy protections to evade over $1.1 billion of this debt, reinforcing the legal pressure on Jones to provide compensation.
During the trials, family members recounted the harassment and threats they endured from Jones’ followers, who acted upon his conspiracy theories. These included online threats and in-person confrontations, with accusations of being “crisis actors” and claims that their children never existed, highlighting the real-world consequences of Jones’ falsehoods and further underscoring the reasons why the families are seeking substantial compensation.
Jones is currently appealing these judgments, asserting that he did not receive fair trials and that his speech is protected under the First Amendment. Despite these appeals, the question remains: will Alex Jones have to pay a substantial sum to the Sandy Hook families for the immense harm he has caused? The bankruptcy proceedings and the potential settlement offer represent crucial steps in answering this question and seeking a resolution to this protracted and painful legal saga.
