FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For information contact: Laise Lowachee
305-913-6678
Hearing Held in Miami on the Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Case of Lorraine Brooke Associates, Inc.
MIAMI - JUNE 12, 2007 - The United States Bankruptcy Court, for the Southern District Florida held a hearing in Miami on the Chapter 7 bankruptcy case of Lorraine Brooke Associates, Inc. (the "Debtor") to consider whether to compel Arnelle Simpson, daughter to OJ Simpson and president of the Debtor and Leonardo D. Starke, corporate counsel to the Debtor, to appear at a deposition between today and Friday morning in connection with the Debtor's objection to Fredric Goldman's claim against the Debtor.
At today's proceedings, The Honorable A. Jay Cristol, Bankruptcy Judge directed that the depositions take place, and if they do not, then Ms. Simpson and Mr. Starke will be subject to further sanctions. The Court also imposed sanctions against Ms. Simpson, Mr. Starke and the Debtor for their failure to appear at previously scheduled depositions set by Mr. Goldman.
Attorney Paul J. Battista, Genovese Joblove & Battista, PA, counsel to Mr. Goldman in the bankruptcy, said "We are very pleased with the result today in court. We do not believe that the Debtor's objection to Mr. Goldman's claim has any merit. We are confident that we will be successful on Friday and will then be able to move forward to realize on the book written by OJ Simpson entitled "If I Did It."
The United States Bankruptcy Court, for the Southern District of Florida will hold a hearing in Miami on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 10:00 am to consider the objection filed by the Debtor to the claim filed by Fredric Goldman. Mr. Goldman's claim against the Debtor is based in part on a finding by a California state court that the Debtor is the "surrogate or nominee" of OJ Simpson. OJ Simpson transferred all rights to the book "If I Did It" to the Debtor in 2006. Mr. Goldman asserts that the transfer of the book by OJ Simpson to the Debtor was fraudulent and done to avoid Mr. Goldman's judgment against OJ Simpson.
In the California state court, Mr. Goldman obtained certain orders that required an auction sale of the book in order to satisfy part of Mr. Goldman's judgment against OJ Simpson. Mr. Goldman filed a claim in an amount in excess of $38 million against the Debtor, which is the judgment Mr. Goldman obtained against OJ Simpson for the wrongful death of his son, Ron Goldman. The California state court set the auction sale of the book for April 17, 2007. On April 13, 2007, the Debtor filed a chapter 7 bankruptcy in Miami.
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Distributed By:
Genovese Joblove & Battista, P.A.
100 SE 2nd Street, 44th Floor
Miami, Florida 33131
Laise Lowachee
Phone: 305-913-6678
Fax: 305-349-2310
llowachee@gjb-law.com
