The owner of Alex Jones’ Infowars has stated that the relationship with their current lawyer has deteriorated to a point where they need to find a new attorney to handle their bankruptcy proceedings.
Free Speech Systems LLC is ready to part ways with lawyer Ray Battaglia and appoint a replacement to oversee the company’s Chapter 11 case, as mentioned by chief restructuring officer J. Patrick Magill in a filing to the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas on Tuesday. Magill acknowledged Battaglia’s characterization of their relationship as “fundamentally broken,” although citing different reasons.
This change in legal representation coincides with Free Speech’s efforts to move forward with a Chapter 11 reorganization plan, aiming to establish a trust to compensate families of the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, who are owed $1.5 billion in legal judgments against Jones and Infowars.
In a redacted statement, Magill raised concerns about some of the allegations made by Battaglia in his motion to withdraw, suggesting that they may breach a Texas attorney’s duty of confidentiality. Magill countered Battaglia’s claims about the CRO’s role and decision-making authority, proposing the substitution of Battaglia with attorney Annie Catmull from O’ConnorWechsler PLLC to advance the estate’s objectives.
Despite acknowledging that being bankruptcy counsel for FSS is not a highly sought-after role, Magill expressed confidence in Catmull’s ability to handle the responsibilities effectively.
Battaglia had previously represented Jones in an involuntary bankruptcy case initiated by his ex-wife, which was later dismissed.
Additionally, Magill sought the court’s approval for the company’s request to hire attorney Harold May as litigation counsel, facing an objection from litigation target PQPR Holdings, an Infowars vendor managed by Jones’ father.
A hearing to approve Free Speech’s proposed bankruptcy plan is set to commence on March 25.
The Sandy Hook families have been subjected to baseless attacks from Jones for years, with him falsely labeling the 2012 tragedy as a hoax on his Infowars platform. The families obtained state court judgments in 2022, leading to the defendants’ bankruptcy filings.
Last month, the families unanimously approved a Chapter 11 plan for Jones that involves liquidating his assets and distributing them, while keeping open the option for legal action against other parties affiliated with Jones and Infowars.
The parties have requested a plan approval hearing in Jones’ case to be held in late May.
The case is In re Free Speech Systems LLC, Bankr. S.D. Tex., No. 22-60043, response filed 3/5/24.