OJ Simpson's executor seeks to auction his belongings
The executor of O.J. Simpson's estate is seeking permission to sell the late star's possessions via auction to raise funds to pay off creditors.
The executor of O.J. Simpson's estate is seeking permission to sell the late star's memorabilia.
The footballer-turned-actor passed away in April aged 76, and with debts having his his estate, including a $500,000 tax lien, lawyer Malcolm LaVergne has filed court documents to be allowed to sell certain items that belonged to the 'Naked Gun' star at the time of his death, which he feels may be of great public interest.
According to paperwork obtained by TMZ, the executor noted some of the items amount to potential memorabilia which could bring in a lot of money if up for sale, including O.J.'s car, gold clubs and even his driving license, as well as a Heisman Trophy - which is awarded annually to the most promising star in college football - which may or may not be genuine.
Malcolm is keen for the items to be auctioned to fetch as much money as possible for creditors and other interested parties, including the families of the late Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman, whose deaths O.J. was ruled liable for in 1997, two years after he was acquitted of their killings.
He told TMZ: "This is the beginning of closure, the best way I see fit as the executor. The money from the auction sales will go toward paying creditors, including Goldman if I can negotiate effectively with the other creditors."
However, Malcolm acknowledged the Goldman family are unlikely to receive the full amount they have been seeking, but he is doing his best and a voluntary payment from the estate may be a "Pyrrhic victory".
Last month, Malcolm said he was ready to meet with the families to discuss their probate claims against the estate.
The executor wants to be transparent with the probate process, not to necessarily give the 1997 judgement, which awarded the families a a $33.5 million payout, a special priority as all claims against the estate have to be dealt with according to Nevada law.
Malcolm told TMZ he is aware two judgements, one each for Ron's parents Fred and Sharon, are active in the state but can't find evidence of an active judgement from Nicole Brown Simpson's estate, and though he would welcome proof one exists, he wouldn't honour a judgement that is no longer active.
Malcolm had initially declared the families would get "nothing" from O.J's estate but later confirmed he would accept the claims.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: "I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman’s claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law."
He went on to insist his initial remarks in which he declared they would get "nothing" were an emotional response to Fred talking about the former footballer in the press after his death.
LaVergne added: "Within an hour of knowing that O.J. died, he started talking [badly about him]. My advocate instinct is was, ‘Oh, you’re gonna keep [doing this] even after he’s dead? Fine, you know? You get nothing.’
"And so, those were my remarks then. But I backtracked, and they were pretty harsh remarks. And now I’m going in the other direction.”
