Recent findings from a New York Times investigation suggest that Joseph “Joey” Ippolito, a convicted drug trafficker connected to the mafia, may have aided O.J. Simpson in covering up the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The investigation uncovered secret federal documents and allegations, including claims that Ippolito was seen with blood on his hands after the murders.
Alleged Involvement of Joey Ippolito
Joey Ippolito, an associate of Simpson and his friend Al Cowlings, reportedly returned to a Los Angeles apartment around midnight on June 12, 1994. His brother, Sam Ippolito, recounted that Joey carried a bag with a heavy object. Sam also noted that Joey appeared to have blood on his hands and instructed him to dispose of his clothes. Sam said he discarded the bag in a dumpster near Doheny Drive, Los Angeles.
Joey allegedly told Cowlings over the phone that he was “helping” Simpson that night. He turned federal informant after his arrest in August 1995, while Simpson’s murder trial was concluding.
Federal Records and Prosecutor’s View
Sealed court records, now unsealed, indicate that Ippolito provided information about Simpson’s alleged disposal of the murder weapon, which was never found. A 1996 memorandum described Ippolito as a valuable source with insights into Simpson’s attempts to evade authorities. Despite this, former federal prosecutor David Kelley doesn’t believe Ippolito was involved in the murders.
Information from Joey Ippolito was shared with Los Angeles prosecutors during the trial, though he was never called to testify. Marcia Clark, a former prosecutor, stated she was unaware of Ippolito and would have been informed if his evidence was credible.
Claims and Reactions
Sam Ippolito’s claims about his brother’s involvement have been questioned. After maintaining his story, Sam later sought payments from the Times and retracted his statements, claiming difficulty in distinguishing reality. Friends and relatives of Joey Ippolito, who passed away in 2006, dispute his involvement in the murders. Cowlings did not comment on the allegations.
The new findings instigate further inquiry into whether Simpson had assistance on the night Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were killed outside her home. While Simpson was acquitted in 1995, he was found liable in a civil trial later. He passed away in April 2024 at age 76.
The Los Angeles Police Department told the Times the murder case is still an open investigation.