Unsealed records detail informant’s information on Simpson case

Newly unsealed federal records say Joseph “Joey” Ippolito, a convicted drug trafficker who later became an informant, gave investigators information about O.J. Simpson’s alleged disposal of the weapon used to kill Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. A December 1996 federal prosecution letter described Ippolito as a valuable source, but did not detail what he told authorities or establish that he took part in the killings. The letter, prepared in connection with Ippolito’s sentencing, said his information covered several matters related to Simpson, including the missing weapon and Simpson’s attempted flight from authorities. It also said Ippolito’s information had been helpful to Los Angeles authorities. The records indicate that information reached prosecutors during Simpson’s 1995 murder trial, but Ippolito was not called as a witness. Ippolito’s brother, Sam, told investigators that Joey returned to their Los Angeles apartment on the night of the killings with what appeared to be blood on his hands and a bag containing a heavy object. Sam’s account, as reported, was later clouded: he reportedly sought payment for his story and then tried to retract it. He also denied...