WATERBURY, Conn. (AP) A representative for conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' business empire has acknowledged on the witness stand that ``there were false statements made'' about the Sandy Hook school shooting. Brittany Paz testified Wednesday at a Connecticut civil trial involving Jones' claims that the nation's deadliest school shooting was a hoax concocted as a pretext to tighten gun regulations. Paz is a lawyer hired by Jones' defense to testify on the company's workings. Jones now acknowledges the shooting was real but says his comments were protected free speech. The jury is tasked with determining what Jones has to pay to eight victims' families and an FBI agent.