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The executor of Pro Football Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson's estate has reversed his stance claiming the family of Ron Goldman wouldn't get the money owed as part of a $33.5 million payout in a wrongful death civil lawsuit.
Attorney Malcolm LaVergne, who had previously told the Las Vegas Review-Journal late last week that he intended to "do everything in my capacity as the executor" to ensure that the Goldmans "get nothing," is now claiming that the "claim will be accepted."
"I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman's [Ron Goldman's father] claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law," LaVergne told The Hollywood Reporter during a telephone call on Monday (April 15).
Simpson was found "not guilty" for the deaths of Goldman and his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, in 1995, despite being later unanimously found liable in a civil trial for the wrongful death of and battery against Goldman and battery against Brown. The former NFL MVP died last week following a cancer battle, having not paid the lion's share of the civil judgment awarded to the Goldman family in 1997 prior to his death.
"The only thing I have to say is it’s just further reminder of Ron being gone all these years," said Fred Goldman in a phone interview with NBC News last week. "It’s no great loss to the world. It’s a further reminder of Ron’s being gone."
LaVergne, who had represented Simpson since 2009, claimed that his previous comments made about the situation weren't directed at Fred Goldman, rather the attorneys representing him.
"Within an hour of knowing that O.J. died, he started talking s***. My advocate instinct is was, 'Oh, you're gonna keep s***ting on him even after he's dead?'" he told the Hollywood Reporter. "'Fine, you know? You get nothing.' And so, those were my remarks then. But I backtracked, and they were pretty harsh remarks. And now I'm going in the other direction."
Simpson's cancer diagnosis was initially reported by Local 10 News in February. The news outlet reported that he was undergoing chemotherapy in Las Vegas and that he told friends and family he was in hospice care, which he denied publicly in a video shared on his X account, instead claiming he was "hosting a ton of friends for the Super Bowl here in Las Vegas" at the time.
The Hall of Famer was sentenced to 33 years in prison with the possibility of (granted) parole after nine years on charges of kidnapping and armed robbery for a separate incident in 2008, years after being "not guilty" in relation to Goldman and Brown's deaths. Simpson's 1994-95 murder trial and 2008 prison sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping have overshadowed a Hall of Fame football and acting post-retirement acting careers, which he has unsuccessfully attempted to restore though his social media presence, launching his X account just over a year after being released from jail on parole.
Simpson recorded 11,236 yards, placing him second all-time when he retired (now 21st) and was the 1973 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to record 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, while also recording an NFL-best 12 rushing touchdowns. The California native led the NFL in rushing yards during three other seasons and was a five-time first-team All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler, as well as a member of the NFL 1970s All-Decade Team, 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time team.
Simpson also had a successful acting career, which included roles in 'The Naked Gun' film series, as well as serving as an analyst for NBC Sports prior to his murder trial. The former Heisman Trophy winner recently appeared a regular guest on the 'It Is What It Is' podcast hosted by rappers Cam'ron and Mase and co-host Treasure Wilson, which included comparing New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers' season-ending injury to the 9/11 attacks, which was met with criticism.
Simpson also shared a video in which he implied his prison sentence for kidnapping and armed robbery was harsher than the one given to former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Henry Ruggs III in August.