Nearly thirty years after a wrongful death ruling, Fred Goldman is on the brink of receiving payment from O.J. Simpson’s estate. The estate has acknowledged Goldman’s creditor claim of $57,997,858.12, plus ongoing interest, as part of negotiations following the tragic death of his son, Ron Goldman.
Settlement Details of the O.J. Simpson Estate
The settlement agreement was confirmed by Malcolm LaVergne, the executor of Simpson’s estate. This figure comes after Goldman initially sought over $117 million, which included the original $33 million judgment from the 1995 civil suit, along with three decades of accrued interest. LaVergne countered with a lesser amount, which Goldman ultimately accepted.
Implementation of the Agreement
- The estate plans to satisfy as much of the judgment as possible through ongoing auctions of Simpson’s belongings.
- LaVergne is also coordinating efforts to recover stolen memorabilia that is part of the estate.
- Additionally, LaVergne will seek court approval for administrative fees that he incurred while managing the estate.
Background of the Case
Fred Goldman’s son, Ron, was killed alongside Simpson’s ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, on June 13, 1994. The bodies were found outside Brown Simpson’s Brentwood condominium. O.J. Simpson was charged with the murders but was acquitted after a highly publicized trial in 1995.
Following the trial, Goldman filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Simpson. In February 1997, after three days of deliberations, the jury found Simpson liable, awarding $8.5 million in compensatory damages to the Goldman family. Six days later, punitive damages amounting to $25 million were also ordered, to be split between the Goldman and Brown families.
Unpaid Damages
Throughout Simpson’s lifetime, he paid only a small fraction of the judgment. As of now, both families have received minimal restitution from the original damages awarded by the court.
Future Considerations
Despite the recent progress, the Simpson estate remains complicated. LaVergne has rejected most other creditor claims, settling only with Goldman and the Internal Revenue Service. The estate aims to prioritize federal tax obligations before addressing other debts, including a claim of approximately $636,945 from California.
This recent development marks a significant shift for the Goldman family, as LaVergne had previously stated intentions to deny any payment to them following Simpson’s death last year.
