A U.S. bankruptcy judge on Wednesday blocked a settlement between families who have sued Alex Jones over his false claims about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School mass shooting, saying their attempt to divide the bankrupt conspiracy theorist's assets exceeded his court’s authority.

This is masterful, creative lawyering, but at its core it is something I can’t approve,” federal Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez said in his Texas courtroom

The judge also shut down the future sale of Infowars' assets, leaving the trustee authorized to sell only the company’s equity.