Alex Jones could owe $2.75 trillion Sandy Hook punitive damages

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones — already on the hook for $965 million a court says he owes families of children killed in the Sandy Hook school shooting — could owe trillions more in a new phase of the case that started Friday in a Connecticut courtroom.

Lawyers for the Sandy Hook families and an FBI agent who also says Jones defamed him in his wild claims that the mass killing was a hoax suggest the InfoWars impresario could be ordered to further pay $2.75 trillion.

That sum is nearly twice the federal government’s estimated $1.4 trillion deficit in 2022. It’s also enough to cover Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter more than 60 times over.

A six-person jury sitting in Waterbury, Conn. ruled last month that Jones owes $965 million compensatory damages to the plaintiffs harmed by his lies. Those jurors also ruled the 48-year-old right-wing pundit should be forced to pay punitive damages in an amount to be determined by Judge Barbara Bellis.

The current proceeding will decide the size of the punitive damages.

During Jones’ damages trial, Bellis, who the defendant seemed to annoy at times, joked she would call in sick to avoid hearing his hearing. Despite Bellis’ empty threat, as well as her efforts to maintain civility, Jones’ single-day testimony descended into chaos.

On Friday, attorneys for Jones and the 15 plaintiffs participated in a video conference to discuss matters including how much Jones should pay the plaintiffs’ lawyers, which both parties agreed to be a third of the amount of compensatory damages by contract.

If the judge decides that amount is suitable, Jones would owe an additional $322 million on top of the $965 million. Other costs include payment for expert testimony, various travel expenses and payments to outside attorneys to monitor Jones’ assets before a ruling was reached.

Jones was also ruled liable for violating the state’s unfair trade practices law, known by the acronym CUTPA, which could amount to far higher fines, according to the Hartford Courant.

While no number for punitive damages was specified, lawyers representing the victims raised the possibility Bellis could order Jones to pay up to $2.75 trillion.

[ Legal experts react to Sandy Hook jury awarding families $1B in Alex Jones defamation trial ]

Norm Pattis, who defends Jones, petitioned the court to award only “nominal” punitive damages. He argued a severe judgment would in most cases serve only to put Jones and other defendants in such cases in a state of perpetual debt.

Lawyers for the Sandy Hook families and the FBI agent contended that a judgment of “historic” proportions is necessary to “punish and deter this evil conduct” by Jones, who famously trades in disinformation.

In the case of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Jones said the 26 people shot dead — mostly children — were part of an effort by “crisis actors” to tighten gun-control laws.

A decision on Jones’ punitive damages is expected in the coming weeks. The Hartford Courant reports that based on Bellis’ schedule, post-verdict inquiries could drag-out the process for several more weeks.

While Jones has put his Free Speech Systems company into bankruptcy, he personally has not filed for bankruptcy protection.

With News Wire Services