After O.J. Simpson’s recent death, the executor of his estate, Malcolm LaVergne, has stated that he will work to prevent a payout of the $33.5 million judgment awarded by a California civil jury nearly three decades ago in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the families of Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. Simpson’s will, filed in a Clark County court in Nevada, names LaVergne as the executor and shows that Simpson’s property was placed into a trust created this year. The entirety of Simpson’s estate has not yet been tallied, and under Nevada law, an estate must go through the courts if its assets exceed $20,000. With his assets set to go through the court probate process, the Goldman and Brown families could potentially be in line to receive a portion of whatever Simpson left behind.
LaVergne has expressed his desire to ensure that the Goldman family receives nothing from Simpson’s estate, stating that his hope is for them to get zero. He emphasized that he will do everything in his capacity as the executor to prevent the Goldmans from receiving any funds. While LaVergne did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press, he mentioned that there was never a court order forcing Simpson to pay the civil judgment. He also cited his particular animosity towards the Goldman family, stemming from events related to Simpson’s planned book, “If I Did It,” which was retitled by the Goldman family as “If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer.”
Simpson, who rose to fame through football and show business, faced a significant shift in his legacy following the murder of his ex-wife and her friend in 1994. Despite being acquitted of criminal charges in 1995, the public remained captivated by the trial. Fred Goldman, the lead plaintiff in the civil lawsuit, had always maintained that the issue was about holding Simpson accountable rather than the money. With Simpson’s death, Fred Goldman expressed that the hope for true accountability has come to an end. The Goldman and Brown families will likely have a stronger claim to Simpson’s estate, as it is settled under the terms established by the trust created earlier in the year. The will lists Simpson’s four children as beneficiaries and includes a clause stating that any beneficiary who challenges the will shall receive one dollar and no more in lieu of any claimed interest in the will or its assets.
Simpson had mentioned that he lived solely on his NFL and private pensions. Following the jury’s award, numerous valuable possessions were seized, and Simpson was compelled to auction off his Heisman Trophy, which sold for $230,000. Despite his financial challenges and legal troubles, Simpson’s legacy remains intertwined with his infamous trial and the ongoing legal battles surrounding his estate. The fate of the $33.5 million judgment and the distribution of his assets to the Goldman and Brown families will likely continue to be the subject of legal proceedings and public interest in the coming months.
