O.J. did book solely for ‘blood money’

Asked how he felt about the effect the book would have on the victims’ families, Simpson expressed bitterness toward Goldman’s father, Fred, who has denounced Simpson as a liar and murderer.

Simpson was acquitted of murder in 1995 but was later found liable for the killings in a wrongful-death suit filed by the Goldman family. Simpson has failed to pay the $33.5 million judgment against him in that case, and his pensions and his Florida home cannot be seized.

He said Fred Goldman has helped drain his finances with “frivolous lawsuits,” including one he brought recently attempting to deprive Simpson of the commercial rights to his name. Although Simpson prevailed in court he said he spent $17,000 in legal fees.

Fred Goldman’s attorney, Jonathan G. Polak, said Goldman wants the rights to the material to ensure that all copies are destroyed and that News Corp. doesn’t sell the rights to “some sleazy cable pay-per-view operation or video site.”

After Murdoch canceled the book and interview, News Corp. subsidiary HarperCollins said all copies of the book will be destroyed.

Polak acknowledged that it was likely that copies of the book or portions of the interview would be leaked and appear in other media. But he said owning the rights might allow him to go to court and ensure any money from the projects goes to the families of the victims.

A call to a News Corp. seeking comment was not returned.

Simpson, 59, said his NFL pension pays only $1,700 a month and the private pension he amassed during the days when he was a TV pitchman and sports commentator is being halved next month because he’s had to dip into the principal.

Although he knew the project would bring an avalanche of negative publicity, Simpson said he was willing to face it “if that’s what it took.”

“You guys are going to dog me no matter what,” he told a reporter.

Despite his financial troubles, Simpson indicated he wasn’t entirely unhappy the project was abandoned.

“I feel like a man who’s had the weight of the world taken off me,” he said.

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