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Jury Orders Alex Jones to Pay $45.2 Million in Sandy Hook Case

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AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas jury ordered the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Friday to pay the parents of a child killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting $45.2 million in punitive damages for spreading the lie that they helped stage the massacre.

The jury announced its decision a day after awarding the parents more than $4 million in compensatory damages and after testimony on Friday that Mr. Jones and Free Speech Systems, the parent company of his misinformation-peddling media outlet, Infowars, were worth $135 million to $270 million.

Mr. Jones was found liable last year for defaming the victims’ families while spreading bogus theories that the shooting had been part of a government plot to confiscate Americans’ firearms and that the victims’ families had been complicit in the scheme.

Compensatory damages are based on proven harm, loss or injury, and are often calculated based on the fair market value of damaged property, lost wages and expenses, according to Cornell Law School. Punitive damages are intended to punish especially harmful behavior and tend to be granted at the court’s discretion, and are sometimes many multiples of a compensatory award.

The case decided this week was brought by Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin, whose 6-year-old son, Jesse Lewis, died in the attack in Newtown, Conn. It was the first to arise from several lawsuits filed by victims’ parents in 2018.

“This is an important day for truth, for justice, and I couldn’t be happier,” Ms. Lewis said in the courtroom after the verdict.

Before the jurors began deliberating about the punitive damages, Wesley Todd Ball, a lawyer for the family, told the jury that it had “the ability to send a message for everyone in this country and perhaps this world to hear.”

“We ask that you send a very, very simple message, and that is: Stop Alex Jones,” he said. “Stop the monetization of misinformation and lies. Please.”

Mr. Ball had asked the jury for punitive damages of about $146 million, in addition to the $4 million in compensatory damages awarded on Thursday.

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How much Mr. Jones will actually have to pay in punitive damages is certain to be the subject of further litigation. Texas law caps punitive damages at two times the compensatory damages plus $750,000.

But Mark Bankston, a lawyer for Mr. Heslin and Ms. Lewis, told reporters on Thursday that the issue is likely to end up before the Texas Supreme Court, and legal experts said there were disagreements about the constitutionality of the cap.

Mr. Jones’s lawyer, F. Andino Reynal, said the punitive award would ultimately be reduced to $1.5 million.

Mr. Jones believes “the First Amendment is under siege, and he looks forward to continuing the fight,” Mr. Reynal said after the verdict.

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After the jury award, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble also cleared the way for another step that could prove problematic for Mr. Jones.

The lawyers for the family had disclosed during the trial that Mr. Jones’s team had sent them, apparently inadvertently, a huge cache of data from Mr. Jones’s cellphone, and on Friday Judge Gamble said she would not stand in the way of the lawyers for Mr. Heslin and Ms. Lewis providing the messages to law enforcement and the House Jan. 6 committee.

The committee has subpoenaed Mr. Jones in its investigation over his role in helping plan the pro-Trump rally in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, that preceded the attack on the Capitol.

In the Sandy Hook defamation cases, a trial for damages in another of the suits is scheduled to begin next month in Connecticut, but it could be delayed because of a bankruptcy filing last week by Free Speech Systems. Lawyers for the families criticized the move as another attempt by Mr. Jones to shield his wealth and evade judgment.

The Texas case allowed the plaintiffs to introduce testimony about Mr. Jones’s wealth and the operations of his companies, which in addition to carrying his broadcasts make money by selling merchandise.

Bernard Pettingill Jr., a forensic economist and former economics professor at the Florida Institute of Technology, testified as a witness for Mr. Heslin and Ms. Lewis on Friday that Mr. Jones “is a very successful man.”

Infowars averaged $53.2 million in annual revenue between September 2015 and December 2018, Mr. Pettingill said. Since then, there has been a “nice healthy increase” in the company’s revenue, including from sales of survivalist merchandise and supplements, and it brought in nearly $65 million last year, he said.

At one point, Mr. Jones was paying himself an average of $6 million a year, Mr. Pettingill said.

In its bankruptcy filing, Free Speech Systems reported $14.3 million in assets as of May 31, with $1.9 million in net income and nearly $11 million in product sales. Free Speech Systems also had nearly $79.2 million in debts, 68 percent of it in the form of a note to PQPR Holdings, an entity that names Mr. Jones as a manager.

Last year, after Mr. Jones was ruled liable by default in the Sandy Hook cases, he began funneling $11,000 per day into PQPR, Mr. Pettingill said.

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The “gigantic” loan from PQPR, a shell company without any employees, is actually Mr. Jones “using that note as a clawback to pay himself back,” Mr. Pettingill said, although Mr. Jones’s lawyer insisted that PQPR is a real company. Another note is set to mature when Mr. Jones is 74 (he is now 48).

Mr. Pettingill said he had managed to track nine private Jones-associated companies, but had to cobble together information in part because Mr. Jones’s team resisted discovery orders.

“We can’t really put a finger on what he does for a living, how he actually makes his money,” he said.

“His organization chart is an inverted T, which means everything flows to Alex Jones. Alex Jones made all the major decisions, and I think Alex Jones knows where the money is,” Mr. Pettingill said. “He can say he’s broke, he has no money, but we know that’s not correct.”

Mr. Reynal, the lawyer for Mr. Jones, said in his closing statement on Friday that “we didn’t get any evidence as to what Alex Jones actually has today, we didn’t get any of what F.S.S. has today, what money they have, what assets they have to pay.”

Mr. Jones and associates such as the Genesis Communications Network, which helped syndicate his show for decades, have claimed to be down to the financial wire, using the defamation cases as an opportunity to beg fans for donations.

Mr. Jones has complained that his revenue plunged after he was barred from major social media platforms in 2018. Mr. Bankston pushed back in court on Wednesday: “Well, after your deplatforming, your numbers keep getting better,” he said.

After the verdict on Friday, Ms. Lewis stressed the importance of her having gotten an opportunity during the trial to confront Mr. Jones directly in the courtroom earlier in the week.

“I got to look into his eyes and I got to tell him the impact his actions had on me and my family and not just us — all the other Sandy Hook families, all the people that live in Sandy Hook and then the ripple effect that that had throughout the world,” she said. “That was a cathartic moment for me.”

It was also important, she said, that Mr. Jones saw a video, presented in court, of Jesse alive, running through a field. “I think he’s been punished,” she said of Mr. Jones. “I think he’s been held accountable, and I’m hoping he really takes this to heart because in the end love is a choice, and what he’s putting out there — lies, hatred — that’s a choice, too.”

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Elizabeth Williamson reported from Austin, Tiffany Hsu from San Francisco and Michael Levenson from New York.



Read the full article here

A journalist since 1994, he also founded DMGlobal Marketing & Public Relations. Glover has an extensive list of clients including corporations, non-profits, government agencies, politics, business owners, PR firms, and attorneys.

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Democratic Governors’ Strategies For Winning Their First Election

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(WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 7, 2022) –

“I like the noise of democracy.” – James Buchanan

In America, the Democratic party has had tremendous success in recent years when it comes to campaigning to win elections at the Governors’ level. In this post, we will examine five strategies for Democrats seeking the Governor office in a U.S. State. If you are looking to win your first election as a Democratic governor, then you should definitely read this article and learn from these examples.

1. Knock on doors

A vital strategy for Democratic governors is to knock on doors and talk to voters face-to-face. Canvassing allows politicians to get to know their constituents and understand their concerns towards building a connection with the voters, which can be very important in a close election. Knocking on doors can also increase a voters’ confidence in a candidate when it comes to raising campaign funds. PRO TIP: It’s important to have enough money to reach more voters to get your message out. As well, canvassing also assists with building a grassroots campaign. A grassroots campaign is important for politicians as it allows them to connect with voters on a personal level. It’s a good way to garner immediate feedback from voters regarding local concerns.

2. Use social media

Various social media platforms such Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube are a great way to reach out to voters and communicate your message effectively, as well as directly. Democratic governors use these platforms to share photos and videos of themselves meeting with voters and talking about important issues. This helps connect them with voters showing that they are accessible and interested in hearing what the people have to say. Additionally, Democratic governors campaign on their record of service and accomplishments. They talk about the progress they can make in their respective state and how they plan to keep moving forward if elected. This helps voters see that the Democratic governor is someone who gets things done and is looking out for the best interests of the people.

3. Spread your message through ads

A third strategy includes targeting specific groups of voters with advertising. Political ads can be a very effective way to reach out to voters and convince them to support the campaign. Democratic governors use targeted advertising to reach specific groups of voters who are likely to support them. Democratic governors also often have a strong grassroots campaign that helps them connect with voters on a personal level, built on the fabric of this targeted advertising campaign.

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4. Hold events

Events are a great way to engage with voters and show them what you stand for. Democratic governors often hold town hall meetings, rallies and fundraisers to connect with voters and raise money for their campaigns. These events give you a chance to show voters what you stand for and what you would do if elected. Make sure to have a good turnout at your events and be sure to spread the word to as many people as possible. Democratic governors also reach out to key constituencies like labor unions and minority groups. They make sure they have a strong support base early on in the campaign so they can win come election day.

5. Get endorsements from key figures

Endorsements from influential people can be very helpful in a gubernatorial election. Democratic governors often seek endorsements from party leaders, celebrities and other high-profile figures. Democratic governors running for their first term in office typically seek endorsements from Democratic Party leaders and high-profile celebrities to booster their visibility and chances of winning. Obtaining the endorsement of a popular figure can help attract media attention and votes.

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Pasadena Black Pages: Kennedy Memorial, Women for Racial Justice, & more!

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Pasadena Black Pages 

KENNEDY’S CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY WAS HIGHLIGHTED AT MEMORIAL

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The day after Justin Jones was sworn in to replace John Jackson Kennedy as a member of the Pasadena City Council, a memorial service was held at the steps of city hall in honor of the leader who is gone but will never be forgotten.

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JUSTIN JONES CHOSEN TO REPLACE JOHN KENNEDY ON THE CITY COUNCIL

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On Thursday evening, the Pasadena City Council, along with Mayor Victor Gordo chose Justin Jones to replace the deceased John Kennedy as a city council member until December, when they will choose the successor for the next two years.

Jones was selected over Brandon Lamar, whom many believe should have won, and Pastor Lucious Smith who didn’t stand a good chance against the two young men regarding policy and views on community growth and development.

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FINALISTS SELECTED FOR THE 2023 TOURNAMENT OF ROSES® PARADE

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PASADENA, Calif. (September 27, 2022) – Before the final round of interviews, the 28 finalists for the 2023 Royal Court presented by Citizens Business Bank took a group photo on the front steps of Tournament House. Applicants from 33 Pasadena area schools participated in the interview process and seven of the finalists will be named to the 2023 Royal Court on October 3, 2022. The announcement will be live-streamed on the Tournament of Roses YouTube channel beginning at 9 a.m. PST.

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CHRIS HOLDEN TO SPEAK AT AAPC’s VIRTUAL MEETING, POLICY IS POWER!

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The African American Parent Coalition is a model coalition of collaborative parents, students, and communities. The AAPC respects and embraces the diverse cultures of our communities facilitate educational equity and improvements in academic outcomes, values varied forms of parent involvement to foster the healthy development of all students, and provides the tools and skills necessary for families to access information to purposefully participate in a rapidly changing world.

MEASURE PCC, PROVIDING AFFORDABLE EDUCATION TO THE SGV

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Pasadena City College (PCC) has provided high-quality, affordable college education and career training to local students in the San Gabriel Valley for almost 100 years. Offering a wide range of undergraduate degrees, university-transfer courses, certificate programs, career and technical education, PCC provides affordable access to the education and job training students need to succeed and the skilled workers needed to fuel our local economy.

RACIAL JUSTICE ACT FOR All PASSES CALIFORNIA LEGISLATOR

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AB 256, the Racial Justice Act for All, passed its final hurdle in the Legislature and will be sent to Governor Newsom. AB 256 is a follow-up measure to the original Racial Justice Act, AB 2542 (Kalra, Chapter 317, Statutes of 2020), which prohibits the state from seeking or obtaining a criminal conviction, or from imposing a sentence, based upon race, ethnicity, or national origin. In a phased-in approach, AB 256 would allow persons with convictions or judgments prior to January 1, 2021 to petition the court and seek relief if a racial bias violation was proven to be present in their case.

©2022 Pasadena Black Pages | Pasadena, Ca

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Harvard University Affordable Housing Seminar

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Mr. Suleiman Alli

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. –

Harvard University is hosting an Affordable Housing seminar titled, ‘Affordable Housing:  Principles for Changing Domestic and Global Markets’. The two-day seminar takes place at the Graduate School of Design. Individuals in the fields of development, lending, investment and policymaking, will learn the skills to navigate the affordable housing industry.

One of the attendees will be Mr. Suleiman Alli. Sule, as close associates call him, works in conjunction with a design and construction company, FABHAUS USA INC. Sule’s role is in the Marketing, Sales and Business Development department, for the African market.

The course is led by instructors in the Affordable Housing industry: David Smith, Davina Wood and Sanjana Sidhra. Sule, a Nigerian, with American permanent residency, believes that the information and collaborations obtained via this course will assist him in supporting FABHAUS. FABHAUS’ mission is to design and construct pre-fabricated homes, globally.

For nearly a decade, Sule has been investing time and money into journeying throughout Nigeria in attempts to persuade decision makers, in the African nation, to utilize natural resources to build homes for the growing population. His association with a Nigerian organization, FEDUP, led him to find that much of the problem surrounding housing affordability in the country, was political.

Sule’s vision aligns with the mission of the Harvard University course, in that the course is built for entrepreneurs. Affordable Housing is not only a Warri problem, a Lagos problem or a third world problem; Affordable Housing is a global problem and if it were a disease, it could possibly be likened to a pandemic.

Affordable Housing is a burgeoning industry that will continue to grow. This industry is interdisciplinary, encompassing political science, sociology, economics, government, architecture, engineering, etc.

BlackUSA.News will follow up on this seminar and its’ benefits, upon its completion.

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