Attorney for Sandy Hook families says they’ll enforce every cent of the nearly $1 billion Alex Jones owes
On Alex Wagner Tonight Wednesday, Chris Mattei, attorney for the Sandy Hook families in their lawsuit against conspiracy peddler Alex Jones, spoke about the nearly $1 billion verdict that was handed down against Jones earlier in the day. Mattei said the compensatory damages Jones now owes may just be the beginning. It will be up to the judge whether or not Jones will also be responsible for punitive damages. Jones has spent years claiming the Sandy Hook school shooting was a hoax, leading his fans to harass the families of the victims, and even make death threats.
“We brought claims against him that his corrupt business practice hurt these families, and he profited from it,” Mattei said. “And she will decide, after having heard all the evidence in the trial, whether punitive damages are appropriate here on top of the verdict that the jury returned today. And those punitive damages have no cap.”
Jones laughed at and mocked the verdict live on his show as it was being read, claiming none of the families will see any of the money. But Mattei explained that this isn’t the kind of verdict Jones can hide from.
“This verdict was returned against him personally, and his company,” Mattei said. “And the verdict was for intentional misconduct, the type of conduct that is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. So he’s gonna be on the hook for this for a very, very long time.”
Video Transcript
[AUDIO LOGO]
ALEX WAGNER: These are compensatory damages. Is that right? There's still-- the families could still sue for punitive damages. Is it possible that this figure could go up?
CHRIS MATTEI: Yeah, it's actually very likely.
KYLIE MAR: Chris Mattei, the attorney for Sandy Hook families in their lawsuit against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, appeared on "Alex Wagner Tonight" Wednesday where he spoke about the nearly $1 billion verdict that was passed down against Jones earlier in the day. Mattei said it's up to the judge to decide whether or not Jones will have to pay more.
CHRIS MATTEI: We brought claims against him that his corrupt business practice hurt these families and he profited from it. And she will decide after having heard all the evidence in the trial whether punitive damages are appropriate here on top of the verdict that the jury returned today. And those punitive damages have no cap.
KYLIE MAR: Jones has raked in hundreds of millions of dollars selling supplements and prepper gear over the years and took the opportunity to hawk more products after the verdict came down. And Mattei said the families he represents are going to chase down every penny they're now owed.
CHRIS MATTEI: His finances are going to come under a whole new round of scrutiny in the bankruptcy court. And really whatever assets he has, and we think they're substantial, but whatever assets he has, these families are going to chase him to ground and enforce every cent of this verdict against him.
KYLIE MAR: Jones laughed off of the verdict on his show as it was being read Wednesday, claiming the Sandy Hook families won't get the money. But Mattei said this is not the kind of verdict Jones can hide from.
CHRIS MATTEI: This verdict was returned against him personally and his company. And the verdict was for intentional misconduct, the type of conduct that is not dischargeable in bankruptcy. So he's going to be on the hook for this for a very, very long time.
[AUDIO LOGO]
