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O.J. Simpson quizzed on assets

In this story:

May 15, 1997
Web posted at: 2:42 p.m. EDT (1842 GMT)

Simpson

SANTA MONICA, California (CNN) -- Attorneys seeking to enforce a $33.5 million wrongful death judgment against O.J. Simpson complained Thursday that Simpson and his attorneys were being evasive during a deposition to determine his exact worth and the whereabouts of unaccounted-for assets.

"He has refused to honor this judgment. We intend to enforce it," said plaintiff attorney Daniel Petrocelli before the start of the hearing at Santa Monica courthouse where Simpson's civil trial was held.

Petrocelli represents Fred Goldman, whose son, Ronald, along with Nicole Brown Simpson were killed on June 12, 1994.

'Complete lack of candor'

Petrocelli

Emerging later from the closed hearing, Petrocelli said he had complained to Superior Court Judge David Perez that Simpson and his lawyers had shown a "complete lack of candor" in disclosing where his money and assets are.

Petrocelli said when he asked Simpson whether he had paid "one red cent" of the judgment to Goldman's parents, Simpson responded, "I don't know."

Perez ordered Simpson to disclose which lawyers he has paid. The judge only participates in the proceedings when there is an impasse.

Simpson was acquitted of the slayings in a criminal trial, but was found liable for the killings in a wrongful death trial that ended in February.

Since then, the Brown and Goldman families have been trying to collect. Simpson, whose home is in foreclosure, claimed during his civil trial that he was broke.

Where is the Heisman Trophy?

Assets

Thursday's proceeding, which began about 8:30 a.m. and was taking place in a jury deliberation room, was not open to news coverage.

Simpson's lawyer for the hearing, Ronald Slates, said the deposition could last more than one day.

Among other things, Petrocelli wants to know happened to Simpson's coveted Heisman Trophy, which he won as the country's top college football player in 1968.

It was not in his Brentwood, California, home when sheriffs' deputies swooped in with moving trucks in March to remove valuables, including silverware, jewelry, Tiffany lamps and golf clubs.

Slates said a related hearing scheduled for June 16 will allow Simpson to argue that certain possessions such as the Heisman Trophy are too personal to be turned over.

As Simpson arrived for the deposition, he told reporters he has not looked for real estate in Florida and no one has looked for him. "Anyone who says it is (true) is a liar."

Simpson said he had planned at one time to move to Florida, but added: "I got two kids in school and I wouldn't do anything while they're in school. ... They wouldn't let me."

When Fred Goldman arrived, reporters asked what assets Simpson might be hiding.

"Everything," Goldman answered.

Correspondent Jennifer Auther contributed to this report.  
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