Goldmans seek control of O.J. Simpson's right to publicity
SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- In what may be an unprecedented legal move, Fred Goldman is asking to have control over O.J. Simpson's publicity rights to his own likeness, name and persona to satisfy a multimillion-dollar wrongful death judgment.
Goldman's son, Ron, was killed in 1994 along with Nicole Brown Simpson.
Simpson was acquitted in the killings of his ex-wife and her acquaintance -- a waiter who had come to her Los Angeles home to return a pair of eyeglasses. (Watch the Goldmans explain why they're keeping the pressure on -- 17:30)
However, Simpson was found liable in a wrongful death civil case in 1997 and ordered to pay a total of $33.5 million in compensation to the Brown and Goldman families. (Full story)
Goldman attorney Jonathan Polak said that even though it's believed Simpson has gotten financial compensation for his appearances at trade shows and exhibitions, only a small amount has been turned over to the Goldmans.
Goldman's lawyers announced the move in a brief news conference with Goldman and his daughter, Kim.
"With this filing, Mr. Simpson will finally have to answer to the judgment before him," Polak said.
Simpson's $4 million pension, set up when the former pro football star, actor and ad pitchman was making millions, is not subject to civil court judgments.
"Simpson has made a career of using the law to avoid justice," Polak said. "Now Mr. Goldman can use the law to get justice." (Watch the attorney explain the motion -- 17:30)
Yale Galanter, Simpson's attorney, told The Associated Press he would review the petition but had not found any legal precedent that gives a court the authority to take publicity rights.
He also denied that Simpson had avoided paying the lawsuit award.
"It's not a question of intentionally trying to avoid anything," Galanter told AP. "O.J.'s life is very simply an open book. There is no money."
He estimated that Simpson makes only a few thousand dollars from autograph-signing sessions.
Goldman, who told reporters he can still not utter Simpson's name, said the man he believes is responsible for his son's death "has never been punished for that act in any form."
"Hopefully, frankly, that (loss of right to publicity) will cause him some discomfort and pain," Goldman said.
An October 17 hearing is scheduled on the motion.
isn't that just the equivalent of saying he did, with out actually calling him a murderer?
