Tweet
Goldmans get O.J. Simpson's royalties, judge says
A judge on Tuesday ordered that royalties or other earnings due former football star O.J. Simpson from his past work in movies, TV shows and commercials be paid directly to the family of murder victim Ron Goldman.
But the judge rejected a bid by Goldman's family to collect on Simpson's future earnings.
Lawyers for both sides portrayed the decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg as a victory.
Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said it was key that the Goldman family failed to win the right to any of Simpson's future earnings, adding that the royalties he receives from past work in such films as the "Naked Gun" movies and the TV show "1st and Ten" amount to almost nothing.
"Last year Simpson's royalty checks from all of his movies were less than 39 cents," Galanter said.
"They got kicked to the curb again," he added. "Every door they're banging on gets slammed."
Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 of murder charges in the June 12, 1994, slayings of Goldman and his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
Two years later, a state jury held him liable for the killings in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered him to pay $33.5 million. Most of that debt remains unpaid.
Goldman attorney David J. Cook said the ruling on past movie and TV royalties was a step in the right direction, indicating the family would seek to determine what Simpson's royalties really amount to.
"All of the movie residuals are now rerouted to the Goldmans," he said.
"We presume there is money and we're not going to take their word for it."
Actors typically get paid residuals every time a movie or TV show is rebroadcast on television.
Rosenberg deferred ruling Tuesday on a third request by the Goldmans, to collect any advance money Simpson may have received for the book and TV show "If I Did It." He scheduled a hearing on the matter for March 13.
The "If I Did It" project, in which Simpson was to explain how he could have killed Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, was abandoned amid public outrage.
Simpson, who maintains his innocence, has said he took part in the project to secure his children's financial future, adding the advance has already been spent.
Source: AP
But the judge rejected a bid by Goldman's family to collect on Simpson's future earnings.
Lawyers for both sides portrayed the decision by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg as a victory.
Simpson attorney Yale Galanter said it was key that the Goldman family failed to win the right to any of Simpson's future earnings, adding that the royalties he receives from past work in such films as the "Naked Gun" movies and the TV show "1st and Ten" amount to almost nothing.
"Last year Simpson's royalty checks from all of his movies were less than 39 cents," Galanter said.
"They got kicked to the curb again," he added. "Every door they're banging on gets slammed."
Simpson was acquitted in October 1995 of murder charges in the June 12, 1994, slayings of Goldman and his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson.
Two years later, a state jury held him liable for the killings in a wrongful death lawsuit and ordered him to pay $33.5 million. Most of that debt remains unpaid.
Goldman attorney David J. Cook said the ruling on past movie and TV royalties was a step in the right direction, indicating the family would seek to determine what Simpson's royalties really amount to.
"All of the movie residuals are now rerouted to the Goldmans," he said.
"We presume there is money and we're not going to take their word for it."
Actors typically get paid residuals every time a movie or TV show is rebroadcast on television.
Rosenberg deferred ruling Tuesday on a third request by the Goldmans, to collect any advance money Simpson may have received for the book and TV show "If I Did It." He scheduled a hearing on the matter for March 13.
The "If I Did It" project, in which Simpson was to explain how he could have killed Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson, was abandoned amid public outrage.
Simpson, who maintains his innocence, has said he took part in the project to secure his children's financial future, adding the advance has already been spent.
Source: AP