The estate of O.J. Simpson has moved closer to settling a nearly $58 million debt owed to Fred Goldman, almost 30 years after Goldman secured a wrongful death judgment against Simpson. This development was reported by TMZ.
Malcolm LaVergne, who is managing Simpson’s estate, has agreed to acknowledge Goldman’s creditor claim amounting to $57,997,858.12, which includes three decades of accumulated interest, according to the report on Saturday.
Ron Goldman, Fred’s son, was tragically killed alongside Nicole Brown Simpson, O.J. Simpson’s former wife, on June 12, 1994. Although Simpson was acquitted of their murders in a highly publicized criminal trial, he was later held responsible in a civil case in 1997 and ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages. This amount largely remained unpaid during Simpson’s lifetime until his passing in April 2024 at the age of 76.
During the infamous murder trial, Ron Goldman’s sister, Kim Goldman, sat beside her father, Fred, and his wife, Patty, reflecting the family’s quest for justice. (Getty Images)
LaVergne explained to TMZ that the almost $58 million figure was reached through negotiations with Goldman. To fulfill this obligation, the estate plans to sell off Simpson’s belongings, although some items have reportedly been stolen. LaVergne is currently collaborating with legal teams to recover these assets.
LaVergne told TMZ the nearly $58 million sum had been negotiated with Goldman. He said the estate plans to pay what it can by auctioning off Simpson’s possessions, some of which have been stolen. LaVergne said he is working with attorneys to recover those items.
O.J. Simpson reacts after learning he was granted parole at Lovelock Correctional Center July 20, 2017, in Lovelock, Nevada. (Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images)
He also said he would ask the court to approve an administrative fee for Goldman, who has assisted in managing estate affairs.
O.J. Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, left, and her friend Ron Goldman, both of whom were murdered and found dead in Los Angeles on June 12, 1994. (The Associated Press, File)
LaVergne said he has rejected most other creditor claims, accepting only those from Fred Goldman and the Internal Revenue Service, whose federal tax obligations will take priority. That includes paying off a separate $636,945 claim from the state of California, which LaVergne said would have to take legal action if the state wants to collect.
O. J. Simpson sits in Superior Court in Los Angeles in 1994 during an open court session. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
LaVergne’s move marks a notable reversal. After Simpson’s death, he had publicly vowed not to pay the Goldman family. Now, he says the estate will work to settle the judgment to the extent possible.
Fred Goldman has long maintained that pursuing Simpson in civil court was the only way to seek justice for his son.
