After winning an auction to purchase InfoWars last month, a federal judge has ruled The Onion cannot continue with its bid to take over the company founded by Alex Jones.
Judge Christopher Lopez of the Southern District of Texas said Tuesday evening that the parent company of The Onion was wrongly named the winner of the election due to the fact that it did not present the highest bid.
The court proceedings revealed that the bid to purchase InfoWars was $7 million by The Onion. Its parent company would present $1.75 million while the families of the Sandy Hook victims would complete the transaction with their winnings from the lawsuit against Alex Jones.
Jones was forced to place InfoWars up for auction after filing bankruptcy related to being found liable for more than $1 billion in damages to the families who lost children in the 2012 Sandy Hook Massacre.
In a statement, The Onion shared its disappointment in not being able to complete the transaction.
“We are deeply disappointed in today’s decision, but The Onion will continue to seek a resolution that helps the Sandy Hook families receive a positive outcome for the horror they endured,” the statement read. “We will also continue to seek a path towards purchasing InfoWars in the coming weeks. It is part of our larger mission to make a better, funnier internet, regardless of the outcome of the case.
“We appreciate that the court repeatedly recognized The Onion acted in good faith, but are disappointed that everyone was sent back to the drawing board with no winner and no clear path forward for any bidder. And for all of those as upset about this as we are, please know we will continue to seek moments of hope. We are undeterred in our mission to make a funnier world.”
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