Simpson Owes Thousands To Irs
Lawyers seeking to collect a $33.5 million wrongful-death judgment against O.J. Simpson learned Thursday he has a new money problem: an IRS demand for hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes.
Attorney Peter Csato, representing Simpson nemesis Fred Goldman, said the IRS is auditing Simpson’s returns for 1994 and 1995, a period that includes the time he was in jail accused of murdering his ex-wife and Goldman’s son.
“He’s got serious problems because the IRS disallowed certain claims,” Csato said, declining to be specific. “The IRS presented him with a high bill and he has 30 days to pay. It’s in the mid-six figures.”
The disclosure followed questioning of Simpson business attorney Leroy “Skip” Taft by plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking to collect in the wrongful-death case.
Simpson’s attorney Ronald Slates said he had just learned of the IRS situation and could not comment on it. Simpson was due to appear today as the court hearing was scheduled to continue.
Goldman arrived at court saying he wanted Simpson’s Heisman Trophy so he could smash it.
“I’d like to have it so I can pound the daylights out of it with a sledge-hammer,” he said.
Later, his lawyer conceded it was being sought so it could be sold.
A still-missing pro football Hall of Fame ring - now said to have been lost on a golf course - is also among the valuables being sought by plaintiffs.
The Heisman, missing when deputies seized Simpson’s property earlier this year, mysteriously turned up last week and was given to the Sheriff’s Department.
Goldman was blunt about the asset search.
“All we’ve ever wanted is for the monster that murdered Ron to be punished,” he said. “The civil court punished him financially the only way they could and he’s unwilling to accept the punishment. Unfortunately he’s the same coward he’s always been.”
Ronald Goldman was knifed to death with Simpson’s ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson in June 1994.
Simpson was acquitted of murder, but a civil jury found him liable for damages in a lawsuit by Ron Goldman’s parents, and Ms. Simpson’s estate.
Csato said Simpson’s business lawyer, Taft, gave an unacceptable story about the discovery of the trophy and about the Hall of Fame ring.
Csato said that Taft told the court that the trophy turned up at the home of Mike Gilbert, a sports memorabilia agent who had represented Simpson in the past.
The plaque, however, is no longer on the base of the coveted statue won by Simpson in 1968 when he was selected college football’s best player for his exploits at the University of Southern California.
As for the ring, it “flew off” Simpson’s hand while he was playing golf, Csato said the court was told.
“If you believe that you’ll believe anything,” Csato said.