The trial in Austin, where Jones lives and Free Speech Systems is based, wrapped up its first week of depositions Friday and is expected to wrap up next week. The bankruptcy filing was announced by Jones’ attorney, Antino Reynal, late in the day. Reynal and attorneys for the family suing Jones told Judge Maya Guerra Gamble that the bankruptcy filing will not end the lawsuit. The company wants to “put that part of the odyssey behind us so we can have some numbers” on damages, Reynal said. Details of the bankruptcy filing were not immediately available. This is not the first time a bankruptcy filing has been filed amid lawsuits against Jones by the Sandy Hook families. In April, Jones’ company Infowars and two more of his business entities filed for bankruptcy, delaying the trial. Free Speech Systems is the parent company of Infowars. Courts in Texas and Connecticut have already found Jones liable for defamation for his portrayal of the Sandy Hook massacre as a prank involving actors aimed at increasing gun control. In both states, judges entered default judgments against Jones without trial for failing to comply with court orders and turn over documents. Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the Sandy Hook families in the Connecticut case, issued a statement Friday night dismissing the bankruptcy filing. “Just two days before jury selection began in Connecticut, Mr. Jones once again fled like a coward to bankruptcy court in a transparent attempt to delay dealing with the families he has been suffering for years,” Mattei said. “These families have an endless well of patience and remain determined to hold Mr. Jones accountable in a Connecticut court.” The trial in Austin is to determine how much Jones will have to pay for defamation of Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, was among the 20 children and six teachers killed in the deadliest school shooting of the country. They and other Sandy Hook families suing Jones say they have suffered years of harassment and threats stemming from Jones’ repeated false claims that the shooting was a hoax or that it didn’t happen. Jones claimed in court filings last year that he had a negative net worth of $20 million, but attorneys for the Sandy Hook families have painted a different financial picture. Court records show that Jones’ Infowars store, which sells nutritional supplements and survival gear, earned more than $165 million between 2015 and 2018. Jones also urged listeners to his Infowars program to donate money.
Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut contributed to this report.
