The executor of O.J. Simpson’s estate is working to prevent the payout of a $33.5 million judgment awarded by a California civil jury in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Simpson’s will was filed in Clark County, Nevada, and his estate was placed into a trust created this year. The executor, Malcolm LaVergne, stated that the entire value of Simpson’s estate has not been determined, but it will likely go through the court probate process due to Nevada law.
Simpson died without having paid the majority of the civil judgment awarded in 1997. As his assets go through probate, the Goldman and Brown families may receive a portion of whatever Simpson left behind. LaVergne expressed his desire to ensure that the Goldman family receives nothing from Simpson’s estate. He mentioned his specific dislike for the Goldman family, particularly regarding the events surrounding Simpson’s planned book, “If I Did It.” The attorney noted that there was no court order forcing Simpson to pay the civil judgment, and he aimed to prevent the Goldmans from receiving any funds.
The legacy of O.J. Simpson, once famed for football and show business, was forever altered by the 1994 killings of his ex-wife and her friend in Los Angeles. He was acquitted of criminal charges in 1995 in a trial that captured the public’s attention. Fred Goldman, Ron Goldman’s father and the lead plaintiff in the civil lawsuit, emphasized that their pursuit was never about money but about holding Simpson accountable. With Simpson’s passing, Fred Goldman stated that the hope for true accountability had ended.
The Goldman and Brown families will be treated as creditors during the settlement of Simpson’s estate. The terms established in the trust created in January indicate that the families will have a strong claim to Simpson’s assets. The will includes Simpson’s four children and specifies that any beneficiary challenging the provisions of the will will receive just one dollar in lieu of any claimed interest. Despite Simpson claiming to only live off his NFL and private pensions, valuable possessions were seized to pay off the civil judgment, including his Heisman Trophy, which was auctioned for $230,000.
