US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the&nbsp;family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.&nbsp;

During a&nbsp;court hearing on Tuesday (Sep 24), US Bankruptcy Judge&nbsp;Christopher Lopez said he would approve the auctions that start in November.&nbsp;

Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families said Judge Lopez's decision was a significant step forward in holding the right-wing personality accountable for his actions.&nbsp;

"Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built. This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused,"&nbsp;Mattei said in a statement.

Under the terms of the sale, anyone can bid for Infowars' assets, whether supporters or detractors.&nbsp;

"It's very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, the website, the equipment, the shopping cart, all that, can be sold. And they know full well that there are a bunch of patriot buyers, and then the operation can ease on,"&nbsp;Jones recently said on his show.

Despite losing the company, Jones had vowed to&nbsp;continue his talk shows through other means - possibly through a new website and on his personal social media handles.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the previous court filings,&nbsp;Jones has about $9 million in personal assets and his company has about&nbsp;$6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory. He and his company already filed for bankruptcy in 2022.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/alex-jones-claimed-2012-sandy-hook-school-massacre-as-staged-was-ordered-to-pay-15-bn-to-victims-539631">Watch |&nbsp;Alex Jones claimed 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre as staged, ordered to pay $1.5 billion to victims</a>

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<h2>Jones' conspiracy theory&nbsp;</h2>

Jones was one of the most prominent conspiracy theorists, spreading lies about the school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed.

He accused the families of being actors and claimed that the shooting was a "hoax" as part of an elaborate plan to take away gun rights from American citizens.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-account-reinstated-on-x-after-being-banned-for-nearly-five-years-668232">Also read |&nbsp;Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years</a>

During the court trials in Texas and Connecticut, the families of the victims testified that they were traumatised by Jones' persistence with the lies and the hoax conspiracies.&nbsp;

The families alleged that&nbsp;Jones' online legion of followers confronted them by claiming that the shooting never happened and that the kids never existed.&nbsp;

Since then, Jones has acknowledged that the Sandy Hook shooting was "100 per cent real".&nbsp;

"Especially since I've met the parents. It's 100% real," Jones said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

US Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones‘ Infowars media platform will be auctioned off to pay for the $1.5 billion he has been ordered to cough up in damages to the family members of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. During a court hearing on Tuesday (Sep 24), US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez said he would approve the auctions that start in November. Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for Sandy Hook families said Judge Lopez's decision was a significant step forward in holding the right-wing personality accountable for his actions. "Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built. This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused," Mattei said in a statement. Under the terms of the sale, anyone can bid for Infowars' assets, whether supporters or detractors. "It's very cut and dry that the assets of Free Speech Systems, the website, the equipment, the shopping cart, all that, can be sold. And they know full well that there are a bunch of patriot buyers, and then the operation can ease on," Jones recently said on his show. Despite losing the company, Jones had vowed to continue his talk shows through other means - possibly through a new website and on his personal social media handles. According to the previous court filings, Jones has about $9 million in personal assets and his company has about $6 million in cash on hand and about $1.2 million worth of inventory. He and his company already filed for bankruptcy in 2022. Watch | Alex Jones claimed 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre as staged, ordered to pay $1.5 billion to victims × Jones' conspiracy theory Jones was one of the most prominent conspiracy theorists, spreading lies about the school shooting where 20 children and six teachers were killed. He accused the families of being actors and claimed that the shooting was a "hoax" as part of an elaborate plan to take away gun rights from American citizens. Also read | Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years During the court trials in Texas and Connecticut, the families of the victims testified that they were traumatised by Jones' persistence with the lies and the hoax conspiracies. The families alleged that Jones' online legion of followers confronted them by claiming that the shooting never happened and that the kids never existed. Since then, Jones has acknowledged that the Sandy Hook shooting was "100 per cent real". "Especially since I've met the parents. It's 100% real," Jones said. (With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars to be auctioned to pay off $1.5 billion lawsuit

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.&nbsp;

The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/musks-twitter-now-x-sues-non-profit-that-documented-the-rise-in-hate-speech-on-platform-621407">Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform</a>

Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.”&nbsp;

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Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? 
 
Vox Populi, Vox Dei.
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While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform.&nbsp;

At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trumps-twitter-account-reappears-after-elon-musk-announces-reinstatement-535683">Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet</a>

<h2>Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist?</h2>

Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns.

He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/aint-going-to-be-happening-alex-jones-denies-to-pay-965-million-damages-to-sandy-hook-victims-families-525426">‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families</a>

Jones was banned from Twitter&nbsp;in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account.&nbsp;

The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.”

Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones's account on X that had been banned was reinstated by Elon Musk after nearly five years, on Sunday (Dec 10). The United States conspiracy theorist’s account was reinstated after a poll organised by owner Musk backed his return. The poll was posted on Saturday (Dec 9) and was active for more than 12 hours. Musk had asked users to vote on whether or not to lift a ban on Jones, which was imposed before he bought the platform, adding that he would listen to the people and honour the result. ALSO READ | Musk’s Twitter, now X, sues non-profit that documented rise in hate speech on platform Nearly two million people voted by the time the poll closed and around 70 per cent voted in favour of Jones’ return. In a subsequent post, Musk said, “The people have spoken and so it shall be.” Reinstate Alex Jones on this platform? Vox Populi, Vox Dei. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 9, 2023 × While there is no confirmation from Musk, X or Alex Jones himself that his account has been reinstated, his account “@RealAlexJones” no longer indicates that it was banned with the last post from September 6, 2018, the day X, then Twitter, had permanently banned his account and website Infowars from its platform. At the time, Twitter had said that Jones’ accounts had violated its behaviour policies weeks after most platforms including Facebook, YouTube, Google, and Apple had taken down his podcasts and channels citing community standards. ALSO READ | Musk brings back Trump's Twitter account, but he's not back, yet Who is the infamous conspiracy theorist? Alex Jones has repeatedly made headlines for all the wrong reasons, including his outlandish conspiracy theories on his website Infowars. However, he is most famous for falsely claiming that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting which claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults was “staged” as part of a government plot to seize Americans’ guns. He has since been ordered to pay $1.5 billion in damages to the victims’ family members by the American courts who said that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment. They also reportedly received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones. ALSO READ | ‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families Jones was banned from Twitter in 2018. It is worth noting that Musk, who is a self-described free-speech absolutist, had previously ignored calls from the Infowars host’s supporters to reinstate his account. The X owner cited the death of his 10-week-old baby, in 2022, as motivation for not reversing the ban saying, “I have no mercy for anyone who would use the death of children for gain, politics or fame.” Musk, on Saturday in response to one user’s post, said he “vehemently” disagreed with Jones’ statements about Sandy Hook, adding “but are we a platform that believes in freedom of speech or are we not?” (With inputs from agencies)

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' account reinstated on X after being banned for nearly five years

Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday. Jones, who falsely asserted for years that the 2012 massacre was fake, submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition to a Texas court. He stated in the petition that he had obligations of between $1 billion and $10 billion and assets valued between $1 million and $10 million. Jones, the founder of the website InfoWars and the broadcaster of a well-known radio programme, has been held responsible for defamation in a number of cases brought by the family members of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy that left 20 children and six teachers dead.

In October, a Connecticut jury decided to pay $965 million to the families of the eight Sandy Hook victims as well as to the FBI agent who had sued Jones for slander. Later, the trial's judge added an extra $473 million in punitive damages.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-barack-obama-pauses-his-speech-to-let-a-four-year-old-speak-at-atlanta-rally-539430">Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally</a>

In a separate trial, a jury in Texas found Jones liable for the death of a couple's six-year-old son by the 20-year-old shooter who carried out the Sandy Hook massacre.

A second Jones-owned company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in July after InfoWars filed for bankruptcy in April. A debtor may restructure their assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case with the assistance of the court.

Jones cited his debts to a number of the Sandy Hook families in the personal bankruptcy petition, where he also claimed that he has between 50 and 99 creditors.

Next rapper Kanye West's controversial appearance on the InfoWars show, when he professed his "love" of Nazis and respect for Adolf Hitler, Jones filed for bankruptcy the following day.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-rejects-joe-bidens-terms-for-ukraine-talks-says-offensive-will-continue-539410">Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue</a>

The Sandy Hook tragedy was "manufactured" by pro-gun control activists, according to Jones, who also claimed that the parents were "crisis actors" on his programme for years. However, Jones has subsequently conceded that it was "100 per cent genuine."

Jones was charged with making enormous earnings from the specific products he allegedly sold on his website.

Jones, a fervent follower of former US&nbsp;president Donald Trump, is also being investigated in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday.

Alex Jones, a far-right US conspiracy theorist who has been ordered to pay up to $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school massacre victims, filed for bankruptcy on Friday. Jones, who falsely asserted for years that the 2012 massacre was fake, submitted a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition to a Texas court. He stated in the petition that he had obligations of between $1 billion and $10 billion and assets valued between $1 million and $10 million. Jones, the founder of the website InfoWars and the broadcaster of a well-known radio programme, has been held responsible for defamation in a number of cases brought by the family members of the victims of the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy that left 20 children and six teachers dead. In October, a Connecticut jury decided to pay $965 million to the families of the eight Sandy Hook victims as well as to the FBI agent who had sued Jones for slander. Later, the trial's judge added an extra $473 million in punitive damages. Also read | Barack Obama pauses his speech to let a four-year-old speak at Atlanta rally In a separate trial, a jury in Texas found Jones liable for the death of a couple's six-year-old son by the 20-year-old shooter who carried out the Sandy Hook massacre. A second Jones-owned company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in July after InfoWars filed for bankruptcy in April. A debtor may restructure their assets in a Chapter 11 bankruptcy case with the assistance of the court. Jones cited his debts to a number of the Sandy Hook families in the personal bankruptcy petition, where he also claimed that he has between 50 and 99 creditors. Next rapper Kanye West's controversial appearance on the InfoWars show, when he professed his "love" of Nazis and respect for Adolf Hitler, Jones filed for bankruptcy the following day. Also read | Russia rejects Joe Biden's terms for Ukraine talks, says offensive will continue The Sandy Hook tragedy was "manufactured" by pro-gun control activists, according to Jones, who also claimed that the parents were "crisis actors" on his programme for years. However, Jones has subsequently conceded that it was "100 per cent genuine." Jones was charged with making enormous earnings from the specific products he allegedly sold on his website. Jones, a fervent follower of former US president Donald Trump, is also being investigated in connection with the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

American conspiracy theorist Alex Jones declares bankruptcy in Texas court

On Wednesday, a court in Waterbury, Connecticut following the testimonies of victims’ families of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, which killed at least 20 children and six staff members, ordered Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, to pay $965 million in damages to those affected by his lies about the shooting being a hoax.&nbsp;

Jones, who was reportedly not present in the court at the time of the hearing, hosts a show called Infowars where he made these claims and was ordered to pay 15 plaintiffs who sued him for defamation with the amounts ranging from $28m to $120m.&nbsp;

This verdict is the second against Jones, in another Texas lawsuit, in August, the jury awarded almost $50m to the parents of another child who was killed during what is claimed to be the deadliest school shooting in the US. The Infowars host&nbsp;claimed that the families seen in the news coverage of the school shooting were actors hired as a part of a plot to take away people’s guns, said media reports.

The Infowars host&nbsp;later took to his show and reacted to the verdict and was reportedly seen mocking and laughing at the amount being awarded to different individuals. Reports suggest that he called the trial “all made up” and went on to urge his viewers to donate money and buy his products in order to offset the damages.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alex-jones-infowars-files-for-bankruptcy-in-us-court-472010">Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court</a>

He added, “So this is what a show trial looks like. I mean, this is completely out of control.” Meanwhile, Norm Pattis, Jones’s lawyer said that the trial was unfair, “Today is a very, very, very dark day for freedom of speech,” Pattis said to the reporters outside the court, according to the local media.&nbsp;

On other hand, Jones on his show said, on Wednesday, he said “Ain’t going to be happening. Ain’t no money,” as he has even in the past repeatedly claimed that he does not have the money to pay such large damages, said media reports. However, representatives of the families have claimed Jones is trying to dodge the payments.&nbsp;

According to a report by New York Times, following the trial in August, an economist estimated that the Infowars show host is worth at least $270 million. Furthermore, his show has made $50 annually from his empire as profits increased following the two lawsuits against him, said the report. It also elucidated how Jones through his show for years has claimed that the mass shooting is a hoax and those falsehoods brought profits and attention to his website.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-ordered-to-pay-965-million-in-damages-to-sandy-hook-victims-families-524925">Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million in damages to Sandy Hook victims' families</a>

Meanwhile, the families of the victims have claimed that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment, adding that they have received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones. Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son was killed during the shooting testified in court saying that conspiracy theorists urinated on his son’s grave and threatened to dig up his child's coffin.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp; 
&nbsp;

On Wednesday, a court in Waterbury, Connecticut following the testimonies of victims’ families of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, which killed at least 20 children and six staff members, ordered Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, to pay $965 million in damages to those affected by his lies about the shooting being a hoax.

On Wednesday, a court in Waterbury, Connecticut following the testimonies of victims’ families of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, which killed at least 20 children and six staff members, ordered Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, to pay $965 million in damages to those affected by his lies about the shooting being a hoax. Jones, who was reportedly not present in the court at the time of the hearing, hosts a show called Infowars where he made these claims and was ordered to pay 15 plaintiffs who sued him for defamation with the amounts ranging from $28m to $120m. This verdict is the second against Jones, in another Texas lawsuit, in August, the jury awarded almost $50m to the parents of another child who was killed during what is claimed to be the deadliest school shooting in the US. The Infowars host claimed that the families seen in the news coverage of the school shooting were actors hired as a part of a plot to take away people’s guns, said media reports. The Infowars host later took to his show and reacted to the verdict and was reportedly seen mocking and laughing at the amount being awarded to different individuals. Reports suggest that he called the trial “all made up” and went on to urge his viewers to donate money and buy his products in order to offset the damages. ALSO READ: Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court He added, “So this is what a show trial looks like. I mean, this is completely out of control.” Meanwhile, Norm Pattis, Jones’s lawyer said that the trial was unfair, “Today is a very, very, very dark day for freedom of speech,” Pattis said to the reporters outside the court, according to the local media. On other hand, Jones on his show said, on Wednesday, he said “Ain’t going to be happening. Ain’t no money,” as he has even in the past repeatedly claimed that he does not have the money to pay such large damages, said media reports. However, representatives of the families have claimed Jones is trying to dodge the payments. According to a report by New York Times, following the trial in August, an economist estimated that the Infowars show host is worth at least $270 million. Furthermore, his show has made $50 annually from his empire as profits increased following the two lawsuits against him, said the report. It also elucidated how Jones through his show for years has claimed that the mass shooting is a hoax and those falsehoods brought profits and attention to his website. ALSO READ: Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million in damages to Sandy Hook victims' families Meanwhile, the families of the victims have claimed that the Infowars host’s claims have incited death threats and harassment, adding that they have received regular abuse from his followers on social media, including threats of digging up the coffins of their loved ones. Mark Barden, whose 7-year-old son was killed during the shooting testified in court saying that conspiracy theorists urinated on his son’s grave and threatened to dig up his child's coffin. (With inputs from agencies)

‘Ain’t going to be happening': Alex Jones refuses to pay $965 million damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members.&nbsp;

This is the second tranche of damages that Jones has been ordered to pay after a Texas court last year ordered the founder of InfoWars to pay $49.3 million to separate parents of the shooting incident.&nbsp;

The judgement followed a three-week trial where both parties gave testimonies in Waterbury, Connecticut. After nearly a decade of claiming that the Sandy Hook shooting was a staged government plot only to enforce gun control laws, Jones has&nbsp;acknowledged that the attack was 100 per cent real.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alex-jones-infowars-files-for-bankruptcy-in-us-court-472010">Read more:&nbsp;Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court</a>

As reported extensively by WION, Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year. Since then, he has been running from pillar to post to plead his innocence.&nbsp;

Reportedly, in the final round of testimonies last week, Jones gave a rather impassioned speech and said, "I've already said I'm sorry hundreds of times, and I'm done saying I'm sorry."&nbsp;

The dramatic testimony managed to bring a few teary eyes in the courtroom but the six-member jury was not to be swayed.&nbsp;

However, this is not the end of Jones' problems. He is expected to face a third defamation trial which takes place in Texas later this year, in connection with the shooting.&nbsp;

For years, Jones used lies to drive traffic to his Infowars website and managed to create a&nbsp;following. However, earlier this year,&nbsp;Free Speech Systems, the&nbsp;parent company of InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/conspiracy-theorist-alex-jones-owned-free-speech-systems-files-for-bankruptcy-501981">Read more:&nbsp;Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

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Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members.

Alex Jones, the infamous conspiracy theorist, has been ordered by a jury in the United States to pay $965 million in damages to the families of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting, where a gunman killed 20 children and six staff members. This is the second tranche of damages that Jones has been ordered to pay after a Texas court last year ordered the founder of InfoWars to pay $49.3 million to separate parents of the shooting incident. The judgement followed a three-week trial where both parties gave testimonies in Waterbury, Connecticut. After nearly a decade of claiming that the Sandy Hook shooting was a staged government plot only to enforce gun control laws, Jones has acknowledged that the attack was 100 per cent real. Read more: Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court As reported extensively by WION, Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year. Since then, he has been running from pillar to post to plead his innocence. Reportedly, in the final round of testimonies last week, Jones gave a rather impassioned speech and said, "I've already said I'm sorry hundreds of times, and I'm done saying I'm sorry." The dramatic testimony managed to bring a few teary eyes in the courtroom but the six-member jury was not to be swayed. However, this is not the end of Jones' problems. He is expected to face a third defamation trial which takes place in Texas later this year, in connection with the shooting. For years, Jones used lies to drive traffic to his Infowars website and managed to create a following. However, earlier this year, Free Speech Systems, the parent company of InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection. Read more: Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ordered to pay $965 million in damages to Sandy Hook victims' families

Free Speech Systems, the&nbsp;parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

The bankruptcy filing by the InfoWars parent, Free Speech Systems LLC, would normally result in the trial and related litigation being halted.

Reportedly, Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational.

However, Free Speech plans to ask a bankruptcy judge to allow the trial currently underway in Texas to continue and is seeking an emergency hearing on Monday, according to a court filing.

Nevertheless, Jones and his company could later attempt to use the bankruptcy proceedings, which commenced in another Texas court, to limit the size of any damages a jury awards.

Alex Jones had previously filed for bankruptcy too

A bankruptcy filing by three other InfoWars entities in April proposed $10 million to resolve the litigation, far less than what the Sandy Hook families are seeking. The proposal contemplated legal releases shielding Jones and his company from the lawsuits in exchange for the payment.

The entities that previously declared bankruptcy viz. InfoW, IW Health and Prison Planet, voluntarily ended their cases in June after the Sandy Hook families dropped them as defendants in the defamation litigation.

Read&nbsp;more:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/alex-jones-infowars-files-for-bankruptcy-in-us-court-472010">&nbsp;Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court</a>

Jones was found liable last year in lawsuits Sandy Hook families filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 school massacre was a hoax.

The unusual judgments occurred after Jones defied court orders to turn over documents in the litigation. The cases were then teed up for trials to determine damages, with the first one now underway in an Austin, Texas courtroom.

Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Jones has since acknowledged the shooting happened.

Free Speech Systems believes it is in its best interests to continue the current damages trial because substantial resources have been spent on both sides, and the Sandy Hook plaintiffs would likely fight to keep the trial going despite the bankruptcy filing, W. Marc Schwartz, the company's restructuring advisor, said in a court filing.

The Sandy Hook families had opposed the previous April bankruptcy filing as a "sinister" attempt by Jones to shield his assets from liability.

Explaining the current bankruptcy filing, Schwartz said the Sandy Hook litigation resulted in InfoWars being shunned by significant internet, social media and financial institutions. The company's business suffered as a result, he said.

Mark Bankston, a lawyer representing Sandy Hook families, said he looked forward to continuing to put on his case for jurors, which is expected to include testimony as soon as Monday from the parents of one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary.

"Our clients are pleased that despite the bankruptcy, their trial will continue and that the jury will return a verdict," Bankston told Reuters in a text message. "Now, InfoWars is heading directly for its long-awaited, reckoning."

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Free Speech Systems, the parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre.

Free Speech Systems, the parent company of far-right conspiracy website InfoWars filed for US bankruptcy protection on Friday (July 29) as the company and its founder Alex Jones face up to $150 million in damages in a trial over longstanding falsehoods he perpetuated about the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. The bankruptcy filing by the InfoWars parent, Free Speech Systems LLC, would normally result in the trial and related litigation being halted. Reportedly, Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational. However, Free Speech plans to ask a bankruptcy judge to allow the trial currently underway in Texas to continue and is seeking an emergency hearing on Monday, according to a court filing. Nevertheless, Jones and his company could later attempt to use the bankruptcy proceedings, which commenced in another Texas court, to limit the size of any damages a jury awards. Alex Jones had previously filed for bankruptcy too A bankruptcy filing by three other InfoWars entities in April proposed $10 million to resolve the litigation, far less than what the Sandy Hook families are seeking. The proposal contemplated legal releases shielding Jones and his company from the lawsuits in exchange for the payment. The entities that previously declared bankruptcy viz. InfoW, IW Health and Prison Planet, voluntarily ended their cases in June after the Sandy Hook families dropped them as defendants in the defamation litigation. Read more: Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court Jones was found liable last year in lawsuits Sandy Hook families filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 school massacre was a hoax. The unusual judgments occurred after Jones defied court orders to turn over documents in the litigation. The cases were then teed up for trials to determine damages, with the first one now underway in an Austin, Texas courtroom. Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Jones has since acknowledged the shooting happened. Free Speech Systems believes it is in its best interests to continue the current damages trial because substantial resources have been spent on both sides, and the Sandy Hook plaintiffs would likely fight to keep the trial going despite the bankruptcy filing, W. Marc Schwartz, the company's restructuring advisor, said in a court filing. The Sandy Hook families had opposed the previous April bankruptcy filing as a "sinister" attempt by Jones to shield his assets from liability. Explaining the current bankruptcy filing, Schwartz said the Sandy Hook litigation resulted in InfoWars being shunned by significant internet, social media and financial institutions. The company's business suffered as a result, he said. Mark Bankston, a lawyer representing Sandy Hook families, said he looked forward to continuing to put on his case for jurors, which is expected to include testimony as soon as Monday from the parents of one of the children murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary. "Our clients are pleased that despite the bankruptcy, their trial will continue and that the jury will return a verdict," Bankston told Reuters in a text message. "Now, InfoWars is heading directly for its long-awaited, reckoning." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones owned Free Speech Systems files for bankruptcy

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational.

Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax.

Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media.

Sandy Hook families in late March rejected Jones' offer to settle their defamation lawsuit and reopened the case. Jones had offered to pay $120,000 to each of the 13 plaintiffs to settle the case.

Each of the plaintiffs turned down the settlement offer in court documents, saying, "The so-called offer is a transparent and desperate attempt by Alex Jones to escape a public reckoning under oath with his deceitful, profit-driven campaign against the plaintiffs and the memory of their loved ones lost at Sandy Hook."

According to Sunday's court filings, InfoWars listed its estimated assets in the range of $0-$50,000 and estimated liabilities in the range of $1 million to $10 million.

Jones, a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, was previously subpoenaed by the House of Representatives committee probing the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits.

Far-right wing website InfoWars on Sunday filed for voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas in the face of multiple defamation lawsuits. Chapter 11 bankruptcy procedures put a hold on all civil litigation matters and allow companies to prepare turnaround plans while remaining operational. Alex Jones, founder of InfoWars, was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits last year filed after he falsely claimed that the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre was a hoax. Jones claimed the shooting, in which 20 children and six school employees were shot dead at the school in Newtown, Connecticut, was fabricated by gun-control advocates and mainstream media. Sandy Hook families in late March rejected Jones' offer to settle their defamation lawsuit and reopened the case. Jones had offered to pay $120,000 to each of the 13 plaintiffs to settle the case. Each of the plaintiffs turned down the settlement offer in court documents, saying, "The so-called offer is a transparent and desperate attempt by Alex Jones to escape a public reckoning under oath with his deceitful, profit-driven campaign against the plaintiffs and the memory of their loved ones lost at Sandy Hook." According to Sunday's court filings, InfoWars listed its estimated assets in the range of $0-$50,000 and estimated liabilities in the range of $1 million to $10 million. Jones, a vocal supporter of former US President Donald Trump, was previously subpoenaed by the House of Representatives committee probing the January 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters.

Alex Jones' InfoWars files for bankruptcy in US court