O.J. Simpson lawyer says Fred Goldman's claim 'will be accepted' - ESPN

The executor of O.J. Simpson's estate has reversed his stance on working to prevent a payout of a $33.5 million judgment awarded by a jury to the families of Simpson's ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Attorney Malcolm LaVergne had told the Las Vegas Review-Journal late last week that his hope was «that the Goldmans get zero, nothing» and that he would «do everything in my capacity as the executor or personal representative to try and ensure that they get nothing.»

However, on Monday, in a telephone call to The Hollywood Reporter, LaVergne changed his opinion.

«I can tell you in advance, Fred Goldman's [Ron Goldman's father] claim will be accepted. And his claim will be handled in accordance with Nevada law,» LaVergne told The Hollywood Reporter.

Simpson died Wednesday without having paid the lion's share of the civil judgment that was awarded in 1997 after jurors found him liable. With his assets set to go through the probate process, the Goldman and Brown families could be in line to get paid a piece of whatever Simpson left behind.

LaVergne, who had represented Simpson since 2009, said his comments to the Review-Journal were not directed toward Fred Goldman, but instead to the attorneys representing him.

«Within an hour of knowing that O.J. died, he started talking s---. My advocate instinct is was, 'Oh, you're gonna keep s---ting on him even after he's dead?'» he told the publication. "'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."

Simpson earned fame and fortune through football and show business, but his legacy was forever changed by the June