O.J. Simpson must pay the families of his alleged murder victims any income he earns from his book containing a hypothetical description of the killings if it is ever released, according to a ruling yesterday.
Los Angeles Judge Gerald Rosenberg said proceeds from scrapped tome If I Did It must be used to pay off the $33.5 million awarded against Simpson in a 1997 civil case.
If I Did It hypothetically places Simpson at the scene of the 1994 murder of his ex-wife Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman.
Lawyer Jonathan Polak, representing the Goldman family, sees Tuesday’s court ruling as a significant victory.
He says, “They took a beating in there today. The judge was very clear that we get the money in the event this book is ever published.
“Plus, now there will be a sale to completely divest Simpson of any rights he might hold at this time. He will never again be in a position to profit from this book.”
But Simpson‘s attorney, Yale Galanter, hit back at the claims, calling the move a “hollow victory” because the book rights are of little or no value.
Last month a judge ruled Simpson must use royalties from previous movie and television work to pay off any outstanding civil damages against him.
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