O.J. Simpson and his attorney Malcolm LaVergne (Photo by Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images)
In the wake of news about the death of O.J. Simpson, his lawyer and executor of his estate, Malcolm LaVergne made news for his assertive stance on how he’d administer the estate. He said, “It’s my hope that the Goldmans get zero, nothing. Them specifically. And I will do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing.”
The Goldmans he references are, of course, the family of Ron Goldman. Goldman was murdered, along with O.J.’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, on the night of June 12, 1994. O.J. Simpson was famously acquitted of the murder, but found liable for the deaths of Goldman and Brown Simpson in a 1997 civil trial. The civil case resulted in a $33.5 million judgment, the majority of which was not paid by Simpson in his lifetime.
Given this procedural background, LeVergne’s comments about a secured creditor seem even more eyebrow raising.
But he’s had a change of heart! LeVergne told The Hollywood Reporter he will in fact process the claim by Fred Goldman, Ron’s father, in accordance with the law. Yay for law-following.
“I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman’s claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law,” LaVergne told THR, admitting that his earlier remarks were not in response to Fred Goldman, who has been relentless in his pursuit of justice for his son since the 1997 civil trial verdict, but toward his attorneys.
“Within an hour of knowing that O.J. died, he started talking shit. My advocate instinct is was, ‘Oh, you’re gonna keep shitting on him even after he’s dead?’” he said. “’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.”
Not great that he went on to justify the remarks — all in the name of defending Simpson’s *ahem* good name. Cue so much side eye.
Kathryn Rubino is a Senior Editor at Above the Law, host of The Jabot podcast, and co-host of Thinking Like A Lawyer. AtL tipsters are the best, so please connect with her. Feel free to email her with any tips, questions, or comments and follow her on Twitter @Kathryn1 or Mastodon @Kathryn1@mastodon.social.
