Alex Jones' $1B Verdict: Dischargeable in Bankruptcy?
Do you think Alex Jones’ actions/words/comments amount to “willful and malicious injury”?
Many of you have already heard about Alex Jones’ nearly $1 billion verdict. The controversial political radio personality was sued by the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting.
Now that the verdict has been issued, both sides seem to be gearing up for a battle in bankruptcy court. There have already been comments from both sides about the likelihood of Jones actually paying this money:
Jones, according to the Yahoo! article, has laughed off the verdict, and has claimed that the families won’t see the money. While the attorney for the Sandy Hook families has stated:
“…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.”
Is he right? Or can Alex Jones eliminate this debt with a Bankruptcy? The attorney for the Sandy Hook family is not the Bankruptcy Judge, so his opinion carries no weight. But what does the Bankruptcy Code say about this?
The default rule in bankruptcy is that all debts are discharged (11 USC Section 727(a) & (b)).
EXCEPT for the types of debt listed in 11 USC Section 523 “Exceptions to discharge”:
For example, Section 523(a)(1)(A) excepts many tax debts
Section 523(a)(8) excepts most student loans
In Alex Jones’ case, the Sandy Hook families would probably argue that the $1 billion verdict should be excepted from the bankruptcy discharge under Section 523(a)(6) as a “debt… for willful and malicious injury by the debtor…”
So how will the Bankruptcy court rule? It will depend on the arguments and the facts of the case.
Do you think Alex Jones’ actions/words/comments amount to “willful and malicious injury”?
For a free phone consultation to find out how you can eliminate your own debts, call/text/email me, Lucas Ruffing.
Thanks for reading,
Lucas Ruffing
Attorney
740-815-1114 (call/text)
LucasRuffingLaw@gmail.com