Alex Jones Can’t Use Bankruptcy To Shield Himself From Paying Sandy Hook Victims $1 Billion In Damages

Conservative commentator and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones won’t be able to use personal bankruptcy to protect him from paying more than $1 billion in damages to families affected by the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012.

In December, Jones filed for bankruptcy after being ordered to pay compensatory and punitive damages for repeatedly defaming more than 20 Connecticut families.

He accused them of lying about their children’s deaths and staging the tragedy as part of a government plan to increase gun control.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez rejected Jones’ attempt to dodge his sentence, citing the commentator’s “malicious and willful” intentions.

“In Jones’ case, the language of the jury instruction confirms that the damages awarded flow from the allegation of intent to harm the plaintiffs — not allegations of recklessness,” Lopez wrote in his ruling.

Chris Mattei, an attorney at the firm representing the Sandy Hook families, celebrated the outcome in a statement.

“The families are pleased with the Court’s ruling that Jones’ malicious conduct will find no safe harbor in the bankruptcy court,” he said. “As a result, Jones will continue to be accountable for his actions into the future regardless of his bankruptcy.”

The ruling means that Jones can’t simply close one company and start another one after ridding himself of the jury’s judgment.

In December 2022, Jones asked the bankruptcy court for a $1.3 million salary.