From Heisman Trophy to SUV, O.J. Simpson property auction approved to pay off civil claims
O.J. Simpson’s Heisman Trophy, golf clubs, high-end sports utility vehicle 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 agreed Friday to a proposal by legal representatives of Simpson’s estate to auction “unique and high-profile” personal property, according to an attorney representing the estate. It is not clear how much money the auction will raise, but it is intended to help pay a portion of a civil claim by the family of murder victim Ron Goldman.
Thomas Grover, who represents Simpson estate attorney Malcolm LaVergne, said the estate was already “beginning the process to auction the items soon.”
The action comes a day after Fred Goldman, father of slain waiter Ron Goldman, filed a creditor claim in Clark County District Court for $117 million against Simpson’s estate.
Michaelle Rafferty, lead attorney for Goldman, said there were no objections from the Goldman family over the auction.
“Our hope is that Mr. LaVergne will use very reputable auction houses and that those funds will come back to the estate,” Rafferty said Friday afternoon.
Both sides are expected back in court next month.
Ron Goldman’s family won a wrongful death civil case against Simpson in 1997, which found 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.
O.J. Simpson’s death certificate confirms he died of prostate cancer at his home in Las Vegas, his attorney said.
The jury later awarded $25 million in punitive damages to be split between Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman family members.
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.
The 76-year-old Simpson died in April of prostate cancer.
Fred Goldman and daughter Kim lamented that “true accountability has ended” with Simpson’s death. However, Fred Goldman continued pursuing civil collections.
LaVergne was, at first, hostile to the idea of paying off the civil judgment, telling the Las Vegas Review Journal in an interview two days after Simpson’s passing that the Goldman family would “get zero, nothing.” “I will do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing,” he said.
LaVergne mellowed, however, and vowed in an interview with The Times to “handle this thing in a calm and dispassionate manner.”
LaVergne’s retraction did not surprise Rafferty.
Ronald Goldman’s family may be able to extract money owed to them from a wrongful-death judgment against O.J. Simpson’s estate following the football star’s death.
“The situation changes dramatically with a death,” she said. “Mr. LaVergne was representing his client personally, and now it’s about the estate, proceedings and addressing creditors.”
Court documents from 2015 show the family has received about $132,000 of the total liability.
The $117 million claim includes three renewed judgments against Simpson from 2015, 2016 and 2022 along with interest. Statutory interest alone from June 3, 2022, to July 25, 2024, accounted for an additional $20.7 million. Goldman is also claiming a daily amount of accrued interest of at least $16,638.73.
It’s unknown what type of memorabilia or possessions remain on Simpson’s property.
Rafferty said she had not received an inventory from LaVergne and does not know ultimately how much the Goldman family will collect.
She said LaVergne was obligated to give notice about the intended auction houses, assets and opening bid prices.
“We’ll look it over and we’ll have two weeks to object,” she said.
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