In a dramatic turn of events, right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who filed for personal bankruptcy a year ago, has proposed a settlement to the families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. Jones was previously ordered to pay over a billion dollars in damages to the families for defamation when he falsely claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting was a hoax.
This is reportedly the first occasion where Jones has outlined the manner in which he believes he should be held accountable for the lies he perpetuated. Jones’s proposal includes guaranteeing the Sandy Hook families $5.5 million annually for the next ten years. The families could potentially secure more than this sum, depending on the variation in Jones's income.
Complementing the structured annual payments, Jones's settlement also includes giving the families around 70% of any income resulting from the sale of his personal property outside the jurisdiction of bankruptcy court. In return, the families must give up any legal claims against Jones.
Interestingly, the Sandy Hook families too had put forth a proposal last month, countering Jones's settlement figure. They asked for a significant increase in the annual payout, requesting $8.5 million a year, as well as demanding an ownership stake in Jones's company. The families additionally sought a significant portion of any income that he generates. Should Jones accept their terms, they presented a conditional agreement wherein Jones could restore full ownership of his company after a decade.
Admittedly, the case continues to evolve intricately, with substantial financial negotiations still in play. The balance of power seems to teeter between the families of the victims, still seeking a semblance of justice for their unimaginable loss, and Jones - the purveyor of the fake news which caused the rift. With both settlement proposals now public, it remains to be seen how this complex legal battle will ultimately be settled.
