Judge to Approve Auctions to Liquidate Alex Jones’ Infowars for Sandy Hook Families

Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist behind the Infowars platform, is set to have his media assets auctioned off in a series of sales this fall. This move comes as part of an order expected to be ratified by a federal judge, aimed at satisfying the over $1 billion debt owed to families of Sandy Hook shooting victims.

During a recent court session, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez from Houston indicated that he would approve these auctions starting in November. However, before moving forward, he plans to modify a prior ruling to clarify that the trustee managing Jones’ personal bankruptcy will oversee all assets owned by Free Speech Systems, the parent company of Infowars, entirely owned by Jones.

In light of these developments, Jones has expressed his determination to continue broadcasting his shows through alternative methods, which may include launching a new website and utilizing his personal social media. He proposed that supporters might purchase the Infowars assets, enabling him to function as an employee under the Infowars name in Austin, Texas.

“It’s very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, including the website and all related equipment, can be sold,” Jones stated in a recent broadcast. “They know that there are plenty of patriotic buyers interested, and then the operation can continue on.”

Both Jones and his company filed for bankruptcy protections in 2022, coinciding with a major legal setback when families affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy secured nearly $1.5 billion against him in various defamation and emotional distress lawsuits. Jones has persistently labeled the tragic 2012 shooting as a fabricated event perpetrated by “crisis actors” to promote gun control initiatives. The shooting resulted in the deaths of twenty first graders and six educators at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

During two civil trials held in Texas and Connecticut, the families of victims shared harrowing accounts of their experiences with Jones’ conspiracy theories. Many testified about the severe harassment and intimidation they faced from his followers, including confrontations where they were told the shooting was a lie and that their deceased children were nonexistent. One individual noted the anguish of a threat claiming someone would disturb his child’s grave.

Jones is currently appealing the verdicts, framing his arguments around free speech rights and disputing whether the families adequately illustrated a link between his statements and the harassment they endured. Notably, he has since admitted that the Sandy Hook shooting did occur.

In June, Judge Lopez changed Jones’ personal bankruptcy from a reorganization plan to liquidation, implying that many of his assets would be sold to satisfy creditors, with certain exceptions for his primary residence and other exempt properties. On that same day, Lopez also terminated Free Speech Systems’ bankruptcy, following a failure to reach a settlement between Jones and the victim’s families.

The forthcoming auction, which Lopez is expected to approve, will auction off Infowars’ intellectual property beginning November 13. This includes trademarks, copyrighted materials, social media accounts, and websites. Notably, Jones’ personal social media accounts, including his X platform account with 2.8 million followers, remain outside this auction.

However, trustee Christopher Murray has indicated he may seek court approval to also liquidate Jones’ personal social media accounts and other intellectual properties, a move Jones’ attorneys are likely to contest. This could lead to further court disputes related to the bankruptcy case, alongside the planned sale of many of Jones’ personal belongings.

The families of Sandy Hook victims are keen to see Jones relinquish control over his personal social media accounts. Their representatives argue that the families should also be entitled to a portion of Jones’ future earnings, which would assist in settling his extensive liabilities.

Christopher Mattei, an attorney representing the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut lawsuit, stated that the signing of the auction order will represent “a significant step forward” toward making Jones accountable for the damage his false narratives have inflicted.

“Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built,” Mattei remarked. “This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused.”

The subsequent auction of other Infowars assets, such as computers and studio equipment, is scheduled for December 10.

Historically, Jones generated substantial income by marketing dietary supplements, merchandise, books, and various products through his shows, which are broadcast online and on numerous radio stations. However, the financial outcome of the upcoming auctions remains uncertain, as does the potential compensation for the Sandy Hook families.

Jones reportedly holds around $9 million in personal assets. Free Speech Systems is believed to have approximately $6 million in cash, along with an additional $1.2 million in inventory, according to earlier court testimony.

Legal representatives, financial consultants, and others involved in Jones’ bankruptcy proceedings, who have accrued significant fees, are expected to be prioritized for payment.

A remaining contentious issue in the case involves whether Free Speech Systems owes over $50 million to another entity owned by Jones, PQPR Holdings Limited. This company supplies dietary supplements to Free Speech Systems for sale through Infowars. PQPR claims it hasn’t received payment for numerous supplements and has filed liens, while Sandy Hook attorneys assert the debt is spurious.

If the alleged debt is validated, it could potentially diminish the amount that the Sandy Hook families would ultimately receive from the liquidation process.