### Infowars and Its Assets to Be Auctioned to Pay Sandy Hook Families

In an effort to collect over $1 billion owed to the families impacted by the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Infowars and its assets are set to be auctioned this fall. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez confirmed in a court hearing on Tuesday that the order will proceed, resulting in asset auctions in November, according to court documents.

Alex Jones, the controversial figure behind Infowars and the owner of its parent company, Free Speech Systems, will see the ownership of his company transferred to the trustee managing his personal bankruptcy case before its sale. Jones, who owes the debts due to a defamation case judgment from 2022, has assured his followers he will continue to generate content even after losing control of Infowars. He has suggested that his supporters might purchase the assets.

The 2022 defamation lawsuit resulted in a $1.5 billion judgment against Jones, filed by families of the Sandy Hook victims. The lawsuit came after Jones falsely claimed the 2012 tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adults, was a hoax carried out by "crisis actors." The repercussions for Jones were immediate, leading him and his company to file for bankruptcy protection.

The families who initiated the lawsuit reported experiencing severe distress following Jones' comments, including harassment and threats from his supporters. Some family members were confronted personally and accused of fabricating the event. In one alarming incident, a parent received a threat that a supporter would exhume their child's grave.

In June, Judge Lopez decided to convert Jones' bankruptcy reorganization into a liquidation, requiring the sale of all his assets except his primary residence and other exempt properties. The auction process is expected to commence on November 13, court records note.

Christopher Mattei, representing the Sandy Hook families, spoke to the Associated Press, emphasizing the significance of the auctions. "Alex Jones will no longer own or control the company he built," Mattei stated. "This brings the families closer to their goal of holding him accountable for the harm he has caused."

The November auction will encompass Infowars' trademarks, copyrighted materials, social media accounts, and websites. However, Jones' personal social media profiles will remain unaffected by the sale.