OJ Simpson’s estate has been hit with a nearly $600,000 tax debt just over a month after his death.
The former NFL running back, who passed away at age 76 after a prolonged battle with cancer, had been struggling with prostate cancer, which became publicly known earlier this year, marking the end of his controversial life.
Simpson’s illustrious NFL career included being named NFL MVP in 1973.
However, his life was marred by legal issues, most notably the infamous “trial of the century,” where he was accused of murdering his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman.
Although Simpson was acquitted in the criminal trial, he was found liable for wrongful death and battery in a civil lawsuit, resulting in a $33.5 million damages award.
Simpson managed to avoid paying most of this amount, and now a $572,402.69 tax debt might complicate his longtime lawyer Malcolm LaVergne’s efforts to settle part of the judgment, according to TMZ.
The original $33.5 million judgment has ballooned to an estimated $100 million.
LaVergne is hopeful that some valuable items in Simpson’s estate, such as a replica Heisman trophy, paintings, golf clubs, a black SUV, and a grand piano, might help offset some of the debt.
However, the unexpected tax lien has caused a delay in negotiations with the families of Brown and Goldman.
RELATED: Nicole Brown Simpson’s Sisters Finally Break Their Silence On OJ Simpson’s Death
Simpson’s legal troubles didn’t end with the double murder trial.
In 2008, he was sentenced to 33 years in prison for armed robbery and kidnapping related to a confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas hotel.
Simpson was released on parole in 2017 after serving nine years.
At his sentencing, Simpson claimed,
“I didn’t want to hurt anybody. I didn’t know I was doing anything wrong.”
By his later years, Simpson’s net worth had reportedly dwindled to around $3 million, a significant drop from the estimated $10 million at the time of the double murder trial.
He lived in a gated community in Las Vegas, where he enjoyed playing golf.
Despite his diminished fortune, Simpson was outspoken on various sports and political issues, though he rarely addressed the double-murder.
