Goldman family resumes pursuit of a freed OJ Simpson
By Zoe Papadakis From Newsmax
The Goldman family has resumed its pursuit of a now-free O.J. Simpson with renewed efforts to collect on at least $33.5 million in a civil jury verdict awarded against the former football player following the deaths of Ronald Goldman along with Simpson’s estranged wife a decade ago.
Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman but, CNN said, was ordered to pay that amount to the family after losing the wrongful death suits in 1997.
He was released on parole at 12:08 a.m. on Sunday after serving nine years of a 33-year sentence for his conviction in a Las Vegas armed robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a casino hotel room in 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported.
For now, Simpson has been approved to live at a home in the Las Vegas area, a Nevada parole official said, and can’t leave the state without advance approval from his parole officer.
California attorney David Cook, who represents Goldman’s survivors, has said the $33.5 million figure has since increased exponentially due to added interest.
“I renewed the judgment in 2015 at $57 million,” he said, per CNN. “Two years have passed, so now it’s a touch under $70 million.”
Cook said it would be difficult collecting that amount, but added that he was ready for “round two” should Simpson start earning an income.
The New York Post, citing a source close to the former football player, said Simpson will be holding out for as much as $5 million for an exclusive first interview, naming NBC’s Matt Lauer, Megyn Kelly, or Lester Holt, ABC’s Robin Roberts or Michael Strahan, or Oprah Winfrey as the potential interviewers.
“He’s not talking for free,” said the source, per the Post. “It has to be the big one because he’s only going to do it one time, and it has to be worth his while.”
Simpson’s lawyer, Malcolm LaVergne, extended his empathy to the Goldman family, agreeing that they had the right to collect on the civil jury award.
He pointed out to CNN that Simpson will more than likely remain a retiree and not obtain employment following his release.
Void of income, it was unlikely that he could pay the jury verdict.
State Parole and Probation Capt. Shawn Arruti told The Associated Press on Sunday that Simpson has one approved residential plan. He said that could change in the future.
Simpson previously said he wanted to live in Florida, where he used to live and where he has friends and two children.
Arruti said the location of Simpson’s residence in Las Vegas wasn’t disclosed for security and privacy reasons.
© 2017 Newsmax. All rights reserved.