The wheels are in motion for O.J. Simpson’s upcoming release from prison.
An insider tells Page Six that Simpson, 70, will take mandatory pre-release classes either at his current prison in Nevada or at a step-down facility within the state.
“They are as simple as learning how to balance a checkbook,” the source said of the classes. “Some of the classes don’t apply to him — some do. There’s no pay phones anymore. Here’s how to get a phone if you don’t have credit. You don’t have much credit when you’ve been gone for nine years. They are mandatory and if you don’t complete them, you don’t get released.”
Simpson, who was granted parole in July after serving nine years on an armed robbery conviction, will also give a DNA sample before exiting.
Once out, the former NFL star will head to Florida. “He’s released in Nevada and he has 72 hours to check in with his parole officer in Florida,” the insider added. “He will likely fly.”
Simpson chose Florida to be his home base in part because of the Sunshine State’s strong homestead laws, which allow a person to register personal property as “homestead” and therefore making it off-limits to creditors. This is key as Simpson’s still on the hook for the $33.5 million judgment in the civil case over the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown and friend Ron Goldman, although he was not convicted of murder charges in 1995.
Simpson will also be in good company as his children with his late ex-wife, Sydney and Justin, live in Florida.
We’re told his family has purchased a house for him in St. Petersburg. “It’s not a mansion. It’s in a gated community, but the house itself is not gated,” the source said.
As for the media blitz that will inevitably surround him, “The neighbors should be OK so [the media] shouldn’t be able to get into the community,” the insider said.
As previously reported, Simpson is being hounded with potential reality show pitches.
Simpson’s people have also set up social media accounts. “He knows people will be nasty,” said the source. “But it’s a way of getting validation and limelight. It’s also going to be interesting because he can use it as a way to make money.”
Simpson is expected to be released in early October 2017.