Infowars assets will be sold again to pay families affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy.

A Texas state judge has appointed a receiver to oversee the liquidation and sale of assets related to Infowars, the media platform associated with controversial figure Alex Jones. This move is aimed at facilitating the payment of over billion in legal judgments that Jones owes to families of victims from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. The ruling, issued by Judge Maya Guerra Gamble in Austin, grants the receiver the authority to take control of Infowars’ assets, possibly impacting Jones’s ability to continue operations from his studio in the near future.

The appointment of a receiver revives efforts from The Onion, a satirical publication, which has expressed interest in acquiring Infowars with the intention of transforming it into a parody site. The Onion’s CEO, Ben Collins, has indicated that the organization is actively pursuing this acquisition.

In response to the court’s order, Jones has called the decision improper and asserted that he is prepared to continue broadcasting, even if he is barred from accessing his studio. He claims to have alternative arrangements in place to maintain his program’s presence. Jones maintains that there is a significant audience for Infowars and has indicated optimism regarding the potential sale to a buyer who will continue the platform’s operations.

The legal troubles facing Jones began with defamation lawsuits filed by families affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy, which resulted in judgments exceeding .5 billion against him and his parent company, Free Speech Systems. The lawsuits primarily centered on Jones’s claims that the shooting was a hoax. Victims’ families testified about the harassment and emotional distress they faced from Jones’s supporters, contributing to the court’s decisions.

Both Jones and Free Speech Systems sought bankruptcy protection in 2022, leading to a federal judge’s authorization to auction off assets, including Infowars’ production equipment. However, a subsequent auction attempt raised issues concerning transparency and bid valuations, causing a state court to take over the liquidation process.

The Texas judge has mandated that Free Speech Systems provides its assets within five days of formal notification. The process of valuing and selling these assets will benefit the Sandy Hook families financially. The judge has also empowered law enforcement to assist the receiver in executing this order, ensuring a smooth transition of control.

As of now, it is unclear when the receiver, Gregory Milligan, will commence asset liquidation or when the order will be formally executed. Jones’s legal team has contested the validity of the state court’s intervention, referencing ongoing bankruptcy proceedings that may affect the disposition of assets. Future hearings are anticipated to address the implications of this ruling and whether Infowars can continue its operations amid these legal challenges.

This unfolding situation highlights the complex intersection of media, free speech, and the legal responsibilities stemming from harmful rhetoric. The outcomes of these proceedings are likely to have lasting repercussions on Jones’s media endeavors and the ongoing debate surrounding the limits of free speech in America.