Infowars Parent Gets New Lawyer Amid Bankruptcy Case Concerns

The bankrupt parent of Alex Jones’ Infowars program received court approval to switch lawyers as the company enters a crucial stretch that could result in either a successful reorganization or orderly liquidation.

Stakeholders involved in the Chapter 11 proceedings for Free Speech Systems LLC agreed on terms to allow the right-wing media company to replace its lead counsel and continue efforts to reorganize over the coming weeks. Judge Christopher Lopez of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas approved the company’s sudden decision to switch counsel during a hastily arranged hearing Monday.

The change in representation for Free Speech—which filed bankruptcy separately from owner Alex Jones in 2022 under a special chapter for small businesses—won’t be used to alter the pace of the proceedings, Lopez said. “We’re not slowing this case down one bit.”

Counsel for a trustee appointed to monitor the Free Speech bankruptcy said during the hearing that the company’s request to replace attorney Ray Battaglia with lawyers at O’ConnorWechsler PLLC is consensual pursuant to an agreement among the major parties in the case. According to the trustee, the parties have agreed to continue discussing ways of bringing both bankruptcy cases to a close and resolving litigation brought by Free Speech against PQPR Holdings—an Infowars vendor owned by Jones and his parents accused of receiving millions in insider payments.

The trustee, who stated in a filing Sunday that Free Speech’s reorganization prospects appear dim, said at the hearing that the court should entertain a motion to convert the case to a Chapter 7 liquidation at the same time it considers whether to approve a Chapter 11 plan.

Jones and his right-wing media company are using bankruptcy to address $1.5 billion worth of state court judgments against them for defaming families of victims murdered in the 2012 Sandy Hook School shooting by calling the parents of slain children crisis actors perpetuating a hoax.

The case is In re Free Speech Systems LLC, Bankr. S.D. Tex., No. 22-60043, hearing 3/11/24.