O.J. Simpson's Lavish Lifestyle and $200 Million Debt to Goldman Family Revealed by His Lawyer

OJ Simpson Lawyer Claims Civil Judgement Is Closer to 200 Million

O.J. Simpson Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images

It has been reported that O.J. Simpson owed the Goldman family nearly $144 million at the time of his death. However, the late football star's lawyer claims that the actual debt is closer to $200 million - a sum that the estate of the notorious NFL star will not be able to pay.

"California judgments are very straightforward. They double every 10 years," stated Malcolm LaVergne, the attorney of the late Simpson, in an exclusive interview on Tuesday, April 16. "Honestly, it's closer to $200 million. I don't understand why they are undervaluing it."

Simpson first became famous as a football player in the NFL. However, his reputation took a dark turn when he was arrested for the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman. They were both fatally stabbed. Despite being acquitted of the murder charges in 1995, Simpson was later found guilty of wrongful death and battery in a civil lawsuit.

As a result of the civil suit, Simpson was ordered to pay the Goldman family more than $33 million. According to their attorney, this amount has now grown to over $100 million with interest.

LaVergne, who is the executor of Simpson’s estate, mentioned that he believes the current sum is actually higher. However, he also mentioned that the Goldman family is not expected to receive the full amount.

According to LaVergne, the estate of Mr. Simpson is not valued at $200 million. He pointed out that the late athlete lived a lavish lifestyle similar to that of a wealthy trust fund beneficiary, with steady monthly income that is protected from creditors.

However, now that he’s passed, the streams of income have ended.

Simpson’s family announced on Thursday, April 11, that he had died following a battle with prostate cancer.

Our father, Orenthal James Simpson, passed away on April 10th after his fight with cancer. He was with his children and grandchildren by his side. His family kindly requests privacy and understanding during this difficult time.

OJ Simpson Lawyer Claims Civil Judgement Is Closer to 200 Million Goldman

Fred Goldman, the father of Ronald Goldman, along with his daughter Kim and wife Patty, listened to testimony during a preliminary hearing in Los Angeles following the murders of Ronald and O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson on July 7, 1994.

In the aftermath of Simpson’s death, Fred Goldman shared with Us that he has been seeking justice for many years since his son’s murder. He emphasized that the pursuit of justice for Ron remains unchanged, regardless of O.J.’s status. Fred stated, “For us, the continuation of that has nothing to do with whether [O.J.] is deceased or not. We will continue to pursue that judgment and justice for Ron. Nothing has changed.”

LaVergne recently explained his previous comments about the Goldman family not receiving anything after Simpson's death. He clarified that when he initially made those statements, he meant that he would do everything in his power to ensure they receive nothing. LaVergne mentioned that he made these remarks before realizing he would be the executor of Simpson's estate.

"I have been representing Simpson as his attorney for 15 years. I advocate for him. Recently, I have had to take on the role of executor, which is a completely different responsibility. So, yes, I retracted those previous statements," LaVergne explained. "It is now in the best interest of all parties involved, including the claimants, to ensure that O.J.'s estate grows and remains healthy. A larger estate means a larger portion for Fred Goldman."

He went on to say, "However, despite the size of the judgments, along with IRS obligations, funeral expenses, and my own fees and expenses, it is simply not realistic to expect the judgment to be paid in full."

LaVergne pointed out that the Goldmans might need to consider accepting a settlement. He mentioned that Fred Goldman is not the only one involved in the situation. Ron Goldman's mother, Sharon Rufo, is also part of the equation. The Brown families, the IRS, funeral expenses, and other creditors are all part of the picture. In the end, everyone will receive a smaller portion of what they are owed, based on what is owed to others.

LaVergne asked, "How much are each of you willing to take? What small piece of the pie are you willing to accept so we can resolve this case? If we can't settle with the creditors, the court will have to intervene."

Editor's P/S:

The article delves into the complex financial aftermath of O.J. Simpson's death and his outstanding debt to the Goldman family. It highlights the legal intricacies involving interest accrual on California judgments, with Simpson's attorney claiming an actual debt closer to $200 million. Despite Simpson's lavish lifestyle and protected income streams, his estate now faces the reality of limited assets and potential inability to fully satisfy the judgment.

The article also sheds light on the ongoing pursuit of justice by Fred Goldman, whose son Ron was murdered alongside Nicole Brown Simpson. Goldman's unwavering determination to hold Simpson accountable transcends Simpson's passing. However, the complex distribution of Simpson's estate among multiple claimants, including the IRS, creditors, and the Brown families, complicates the Goldman family's prospects of receiving full compensation. The article underscores the challenges of navigating legal obligations and financial realities in the wake of a high-profile case with far-reaching consequences.