The Goldman family acquired the rights to the book If I Did It as a direct result of their efforts to satisfy a significant wrongful death civil suit judgment against O.J. Simpson.
The Context: Wrongful Death Judgment
Following the criminal acquittal of O.J. Simpson, a civil lawsuit was brought against him for the wrongful deaths of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. This civil trial concluded with a jury finding O.J. Simpson liable for their deaths, ordering him to pay $33.5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to the victims' families.
However, collecting this substantial judgment proved challenging, as Simpson's assets were limited or legally protected. The book If I Did It presented a unique opportunity for the Goldman family to recover some of the money owed to them.
The Path to Acquiring Rights
The rights to If I Did It were initially held by Lorraine Brooke Associates, a shell corporation established in the name of O.J. Simpson's children. This arrangement was likely intended to shield the book's earnings from Simpson's creditors, including the Goldman family.
Recognizing this, Fred Goldman, Ron Goldman's father, took legal action. He sued Lorraine Brooke Associates specifically for the book's rights. The goal of this lawsuit was to seize control of the book and its potential earnings, thereby utilizing them to help fulfill the outstanding $33.5 million civil judgment against O.J. Simpson. Through this legal challenge, Fred Goldman successfully obtained the rights to the controversial manuscript.
Upon acquiring the rights, the Goldman family gained control over the book's publication and distribution. They eventually published the book, with "If I Did It" appearing in smaller print and "Confessions of the Killer" more prominently displayed on the cover, along with an altered byline indicating "The Goldman Family" and new content from them. The proceeds from its sale went towards satisfying the civil judgment.
