Alex Jones Evades Shutdown Amid Bankruptcy Cases and Sandy Hook Lawsuits

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In a dramatic series of events this past weekend, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones ignited a panic amongst his followers with warnings of a potential governmental and financial shutdown, based on his current bankruptcy cases. However, to his temporary relief, a federal judge ruled on Monday allowing his operation to continue for the next fortnight, during which time it will be decided whether Jones’ assets should face liquidation.

Alex Jones, alongside his company Free Speech Systems, sought bankruptcy protection following the devastating blows of two lost lawsuits, which ultimately led to a hefty payment order of $1.5 billion. This fee was inflicted onto him on behalf of the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School victims, targeted with Jones’ false and traumatic claim of the school shooting as a hoax.


Given the depth of their distress and the defamation at hand, the families have vehemently stood against Jones’ proposed reorganization plans. They expeditiously filed an emergency motion to transform the present bankruptcy reorganization of Free Speech Systems into full liquidation. Their argument pivots on Jones’ stagnant progress in demonstrating how he intends to meet the lawsuit judgments.

Christopher Lopez, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, advanced an agreement to address this contentious motion on June 14. The critical meeting is expected to provide the resolution on whether Jones and his company’s assets should be liquidated.

Over the fraught weekend, Jones turned to his web and radio show, using the platform for multiple “emergency broadcasts.” He asserted that his operations, inclusive of his well-known Infowars segments, were in immediate danger of being permanently shuttered by federal authorities. In one particularly charged segment, he even proclaimed the need for a human chain surrounding his Austin-based studio as a form of protest and protection.

Throughout these impassioned pleas to his audience, Jones offered profanity-streaked rants mixed with emotional breakdowns. Despite his situation, he continuously promised to “come back,” and that at the end of the day, “we’re going to beat these people.”

Such broadcasts were seemingly incited by conflicts arising between Jones, a court-appointed chief restructuring officer, and another company, PQPR Holdings Limited, which supplies various nutritional supplements promoted and sold on Jones’ shows. Countering Jones’ narrative, PQPR pushed for an immediate closure of Free Speech Systems, reasoning that Jones’ uncooperativeness has hampered the bankruptcy discussions.

By opposing these claims, Free Speech Systems’ lawyer, Annie Catmull, emphasized the necessity of company continuation. Consequently, Judge Lopez decided to let the company carry on with employee wage payments and other expenses until June 14, after urging all parties to reduce the rhetorical heat.

On the matter of imminent shutdown threats, Christopher Mattei, a lawyer representing the Sandy Hook families, accused Jones of manipulating the situation into an artificial crisis. As he explains, the true dispute is between two Jones-owned companies.

Jones’ legal team has not yet found common ground with the lawyers of the families regarding the resolution of these bankruptcy cases. The possible outcomes range from liquidation—a process that would force Jones to sell the majority of his belongings, with proceeds heading to his creditors—to the cases being withdrawn and leaving Jones in a similar position as after the lawsuits.

The attorney of PQPR also claimed that Free Speech Systems owes them millions which is disputed by the family’s lawyers. The families testify about their constant harassment by Jones’ followers who not only called the murder of their children a hoax but also contested the very existence of their children.

Jones owns around $9 million in assets. Free Speech Systems had a cash excess of nearly $4 million, pulled most of its $3.2 million revenue in April from sales of dietary supplements, clothing, and other items marketed on Jones’ show while nearly $2 million was listed as business expenses.