OJ Simpson's Heisman Trophy, his golf clubs, his high-end SUV and even his driver's license will soon be sold to pay off a debt the infamous football star carried beyond his own death.
A Nevada probate judge on Friday accepted a proposal by legal representatives of Simpson's estate to auction off “unique and high-profile” personal property, according to attorneys representing the estate. It's unclear how much money the auction will raise, but it is intended to help pay off a portion of a civil lawsuit filed by the family of murder victim Ron Goldman.
Thomas Grover, who represents Simpson's estate attorney Malcolm LaVergne, said the estate was already “beginning the process to auction off the items soon.”
The action comes a day after Fred Goldman, father of slain waiter Ron Goldman, filed a creditor's claim in Clark County District Court for $117 million against Simpson's estate.
Michaelle Rafferty, Goldman's lead attorney, said there were no objections from the Goldman family to the auction.
“Our hope is that Mr. LaVergne will turn to reputable auction houses and that those funds will be returned to the estate,” Rafferty said Friday afternoon.
Both sides are expected to return to court next month.
In 1997, Ron Goldman's family won a civil wrongful death case against Simpson, finding him liable for the murders of Goldman and Simpson's ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. The family was initially awarded $8.5 million in compensatory damages.
The jury later awarded $25 million in punitive damages to be split between Nicole Brown Simpson and members of the Goldman family.
The civil victories came after Simpson's famous acquittal in the double murder criminal case, known as the “Trial of the Century,” in October 1995.
Simpson, 76, died in April of prostate cancer.
Fred Goldman and his daughter Kim lamented that “true accountability has ended” with Simpson’s death. However, Fred Goldman continued to pursue civil collection actions.
LaVergne was initially hostile to the idea of paying the civil judgment, telling the Las Vegas Review Journal In an interview two days after Simpson's death, he said the Goldman family would “get nothing, nothing.” “I will do everything in my capacity as executor or personal representative to try to make sure they get nothing,” he said.
But LaVergne softened, promising in an interview with The Times to “handle this matter calmly and dispassionately.”
LaVergne's retraction did not surprise Rafferty.
“The situation changes dramatically with a death,” she said. “Mr. LaVergne was personally representing his client and now it’s about the estate, the proceedings and communication with creditors.”
Court documents from 2015 show the family received about $132,000 of the total liability.
The $117 million lawsuit includes three renewed judgments against Simpson from 2015, 2016 and 2022, along with interest. The statutory interest alone from June 3, 2022, to July 25, 2024, accounted for an additional $20.7 million. Goldman is also seeking a daily accrued interest amount of at least $16,638.73.
It is unknown what kind of memorabilia or possessions remain on Simpson's property.
Rafferty said he has not received an inventory from LaVergne and does not know how much the Goldman family will ultimately collect.
He said LaVergne was required to give notice of planned auction houses, assets and initial bid prices.
“We will review it and we will have two weeks to object,” he said.
