Infowars founder Alex Jones and his attorneys are in a Texas court fighting collection efforts in a case related to his false claims about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting being a government hoax. Jones, who owes nearly $1.5 billion to the victims' families, is attempting to hold off collection of a $50 million judgment in the Texas case. A hearing was held to determine the net worth of Free Speech Systems LLC, Infowars' parent company, which will be used to determine the amount Jones should be ordered to pay in a bond to continue his appeal.
State District Court Judge Maya Guerra Gamble expressed concerns about Jones' credibility and history of disregarding court orders. Mark Bankston, the attorney for the Texas families, objected to Free Speech Systems offering evidence due to its untimely nature and violation of a prior court order. The hearing’s tight timeline was set by the 3rd Court of Appeals, requiring a decision by Friday.
Despite winning defamation judgments in Texas and Connecticut in late 2021, the Sandy Hook families have yet to receive any payments due to Jones and his attorneys' various legal filings aimed at retaining control of the websites and brands.