NextFin news, On August 14, 2025, in Austin, Texas, District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ordered the appointment of a court receiver to take possession of and liquidate the assets of Free Speech Systems, the parent company of Infowars, founded by conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. This legal action aims to satisfy the more than $1.3 billion in damages owed to families of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims.
The ruling empowers the receiver to collect accounts receivable, change locks on all premises containing company property, access storage facilities and safe-deposit boxes, and exercise control over Infowars' websites. Law enforcement assistance is authorized to ensure the receiver can carry out these duties without interference.
The Sandy Hook families were awarded the damages after Jones repeatedly made false claims that the 2012 shooting, which killed 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, was a hoax and that the victims were crisis actors. These defamatory statements led to lawsuits filed in Connecticut and Texas, resulting in the substantial judgments against Jones and his company.
Previously, a federal bankruptcy court had ordered the sale of Infowars' assets to help pay the judgment. In late 2024, The Onion, a satirical news outlet, won a court-ordered auction to purchase Infowars with plans to convert it into a parody site. However, the sale was blocked by a federal bankruptcy judge in December 2024 due to concerns over the auction's transparency and valuation, allowing Jones to retain control temporarily.
Following the federal court's rejection of the auction, the bankruptcy judge advised the Sandy Hook families to pursue their claims in state court. Judge Gamble's recent order in Texas state court now authorizes the liquidation process, potentially forcing Jones to vacate Infowars' studios imminently.
Alex Jones expressed anger over the ruling during his broadcast, calling the court order improper and vowing to continue broadcasting from an alternate studio if locked out. His attorney did not comment on the ruling.
Attorneys representing the Sandy Hook families described the judge's decision as a critical step toward holding Jones accountable and dismantling the Infowars media platform. They emphasized that proceeds from the asset sales will go directly to compensating the families for the harm caused.
The court-appointed receiver, Gregory Milligan of Austin, Texas, has yet to announce specific plans or timelines for the asset liquidation. The order requires Free Speech Systems to comply within five days of formal service.
This development marks a significant move in enforcing the defamation judgments against Jones, who has also filed for personal and corporate bankruptcy. The families continue to seek full compensation for the emotional distress inflicted by Jones' false claims about the Sandy Hook tragedy.
Explore more exclusive insights at nextfin.ai.
