OJ Simpson's prison memorabilia hits auction block after his death

In recent months, OJ Simpson's legal team has been taking measures to address his overwhelming debts following his death. Simpson, the former NFL star, accrued substantial financial obligations over the years, notably stemming from a judgment against him by the Goldman family associated with the 1994 murders. His longtime attorney Malcolm LaVergne revealed that as executor of Simpson's estate, he is preparing to auction off a unique collection of memorabilia in an effort to mitigate these debts. This auction is expected to feature various items, including a collection of pornography that Simpson accumulated during his time in a Nevada state prison, where he served nine years for robbery and kidnapping. LaVergne stated that the auction might take place in early 2025, although specific details have yet to be confirmed. In addition to the pornography, there is even speculation that unused condoms from Simpson’s prison time could also be included in the auction package. The financial situation surrounding Simpson has ballooned into a staggering $100 million in debt, compounded by interest, and the Goldmans are determined to claim whatever they can from his estate. The history of Simpson’s debts is long and complicated. Since a civil judgment was made against him in 1997 for the wrongful death of Ron Goldman, Simpson has faced numerous legal actions aimed at collecting funds for payments. Despite efforts to garnish his earnings from television appearances and book deals, he has only paid a fraction of the total owed. As of June 2022, records indicated he had paid just $133,000 of the $96 million owed to the Goldman family, indicating a significant ongoing struggle to meet these financial obligations. In response to the mounting debt, Simpson declared bankruptcy in Florida, helping him shield some of his assets, including his NFL pension, which is between $125,000 and $300,000 annually, from attachment by creditors. He also receives $42,000 a year in Social Security benefits, all protected from creditor claims. The auction appears to be a last-ditch effort by LaVergne to leverage the remaining items in the estate before the estate becomes further entangled in legal attempts to collect the outstanding debts. For LaVergne and the estate, this auction could provide a unique glimpse into the life and controversies surrounding Simpson's years spent both in the limelight and behind bars, all while raising potential funds to address legal claims that linger posthumously.