In the ongoing saga of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and the legal battle with Sandy Hook families, a new development has emerged. Families of the victims, owed more than $1.1 billion in damages due to Jones’ defamatory lies about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, have proposed settlement options.
Alex Jones, known for his Info Wars show and a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, has yet to pay any of the massive damages. The families are now presenting two alternatives: Jones can either pay $8.5 million annually over the next 10 years or opt for the liquidation of his assets.
In a statement, the families emphasized that it’s time for Jones to decide whether to settle reasonably or continue protracted legal battles. The proposed Creditors’ Plan outlines a clear path for resolution, stating, “Whatever alternative Jones chooses, the Creditors’ Plan provides a clear path out of the quagmire of these cases.”
Jones was found liable for spreading false claims that the Sandy Hook tragedy, where 20 first-graders and six others were killed, was a hoax. His podcasts suggested that grieving parents were “crisis actors.” Despite admitting that the killings indeed occurred, Jones has not fulfilled his financial obligations to the victims’ families.
Alex Jones says he filed for bankruptcy so his appeal bond on the Sandy Hook judgment will now only be half his net worth, allowing him to tie it up for years and stay on the air. pic.twitter.com/pHdL1ai48H
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 1, 2022
The proposal, presented to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas, offers a way to conclude the 11-month-long case by February. The first option involves an orderly liquidation of Jones’ assets, while the second outlines a 10-year payment plan, with annual payments totaling $8.5 million.
Despite Jones’ claims of bankruptcy to evade damages, the families and creditors’ committee argue for a resolution. Jones’ attorneys have requested a status conference on Nov. 27 to discuss the proposed settlement options.
Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez had previously refused to discharge Jones’ debt to the Sandy Hook families, citing intentional and malicious actions on Jones’ part. Alex Jones has consistently denied any wrongdoing, and the legal battle continues.
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