Title: Alex Jones Puts Forward $55 Million Settlement Offer to Resolve Sandy Hook Lawsuits

The right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who declared personal bankruptcy a year ago after being ordered to pay over a billion dollars to the families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims for defamation, is now offering the families a settlement. In this proposal, Jones suggests that the families accept a guaranteed $5.5 million annually for 10 years, with the potential for more based on his income. Additionally, families would receive 70% of the proceeds from Jones' non-exempt personal property sales, provided they relinquish all legal claims against Jones and any associated parties. This plea was filed in a Texas bankruptcy court last Friday.

Jones was compelled to seek personal bankruptcy in December 2022 following the court's order to compensate for the damages resulting from his defeat in two civil cases involving his unsubstantiated allegations about the elementary school massacre. His company, Free Speech Systems, which runs the Infowars website, also filed for bankruptcy in July of last year.

Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, arrived at the Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Connecticut, with his private security guards to address the media following his appearance at the Sandy Hook defamation trial on October 4, 2022.

The Sandy Hook families, who were awarded $1 billion in damages from Alex Jones, have expressed their willingness to settle for a minimum of $85 million. According to Jarrod B. Martin, an attorney representing some of the families, this proposed bankruptcy plan is the first step towards holding Jones accountable for the harm he caused.

Martin informed CNN via email that our team is thoroughly reviewing the plan and will provide our feedback at the appropriate time. On Saturday, CNN contacted Jones' attorneys for their input. The court had mandated a Friday deadline for the submission of a proposal to resolve Jones' debts from all parties involved.

On Friday, the filing was made, coming just one day after the 11th anniversary of the tragic attack at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. This attack resulted in the devastating loss of 20 first-graders and six adults. Jones baselessly restated his belief that the 2012 mass shooting was staged, going so far as to claim that the families and first responders were "crisis actors."

The falsehoods led to multiple lawsuits, with a 2022 trial in Connecticut hearing how the lies had led to relentless harassment and worsened the emotional pain of losing loved ones for the affected families. In previous court documents, the families' lawyers accused Jones of failing to prioritize their compensation, claiming that he continued to live lavishly despite owing them money. According to the Sandy Hook families, Jones had spent around $900,000 since the start of the case instead of allocating funds to fulfill his legal obligations.

In October, a federal bankruptcy judge ruled that despite his bankruptcy filing, Jones was still legally obligated to pay the vast majority of what the Sandy Hook families have won in court.

Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, addresses the press following his court appearance for the Sandy Hook defamation trial at Connecticut Superior Court in Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S., on October 4, 2022. (Photo: Mike Segar/Reuters/FILE)

Alex Jones barred from using bankruptcy to evade paying $1.1 billion to Sandy Hook families

According to a recent court filing by the Sandy Hook families, they proposed that Jones make annual payments of at least $8.5 million to the families, in addition to half of his annual income exceeding $9 million. They also requested non-exempt assets under bankruptcy protection and a share in Free Speech Systems. After meeting these terms for a decade, Jones would regain full ownership of his company and be relieved of all liability.

The attorneys for the families warned Jones that if he refused the proposal, they would pursue complete liquidation of all non-protected assets under bankruptcy law, potentially subjecting him to a prolonged period of legal battles and enforcement actions. A hearing to review the new proposal is scheduled for the end of February.

In September, a federal judge determined that Jones will be held liable for over $1.1 billion in damages owed to the families despite his bankruptcy proceedings. The ruling was made in response to a case filed in Connecticut by the family members of eight shooting victims and a first responder. US Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Texas sided with the families, with the exception of the $322.5 million in common-law punitive damages they had been granted.

CNNs Nicki Brown, Lauren del Valle and Ray Sanchez contributed to this report.