Alex Jones reportedly concealing funds to avoid $1.5bn payout to Sandy Hook families

Rightwing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones appears to be moving his money to friends and family in an attempt to avoid paying out nearly $1.5bn in damages to the families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, a new report reveals.

Last year, Jones was ordered to pay the huge damages following his years-long claims on his digital platform Infowars that the mass shooting was a hoax staged by the government to take away guns from Americans.

However, the new investigation by the New York Times found that in addition to Jones spending $80,000 on a private jet, security and a villa during his time in Connecticut last year to testify at trial, he also appeared to have been sneaking away his money to various entities.

The report revealed that in October 2021, Jones made a business agreement with Auriam Services, a month-old company founded by lifestyle blogger Anthony Gucciardi, a friend of Jones. According to the report, Auriam Services was to function as a credit card processing intermediary.

Then, in February 2022, Jones transferred his $3m estate in Austin, Texas, to his wife, Erika Wulff Jones. The estate spans over 5,400 sq ft and boasts four bedrooms and five bathrooms, in addition to a pool and a spa.

In January, Jones submitted a personal balance sheet to a bankruptcy court in Texas which the New York Times reviewed. The sheet indicated that Jones had approximately only $5.6m in total assets.

Despite being awarded nearly $1.5bn in legal damages, Sandy Hook families are uncertain whether they will be paid the full amount.