The punchline to a Fat Joe story about O.J. Simpson involved a machete, an accusation, and a chase around a birthday party. More than a year later, that bizarre encounter is getting another look after the man at the center of the story was identified as a possible accomplice in the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
During an August 2025 episode of the Joe and Jada Podcast, Fat Joe recalled his friendship with a man he called "Joe Bentley," a nickname he said came from the man's extensive collection of luxury cars. That man was reportedly Joseph "Joey" Ippolito, a Mafia associate and convicted drug trafficker whose alleged connection to Simpson is now receiving renewed scrutiny.
According to a New York Times investigation published Sunday (Oct. 18), previously sealed records revealed that Ippolito had provided federal prosecutors with information about the possible disposal of the murder weapon. He was also connected to Simpson through Al Cowlings, who famously drove the white Ford Bronco during the 1994 police chase.
Ippolito's brother, Sam, initially told the publication that Joey returned home on the night of the murders with blood on his hands. However, Sam later recanted his account after reporters declined to pay him.
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Fat Joe's O.J. Simpson Story Resurfaces Amid New Allegations
During the podcast conversation with Jadakiss and comedian Aries Spears, Fat Joe claimed Ippolito once told him he was waiting at an airport with a private jet during Simpson's infamous Bronco chase, allegedly prepared to help him escape.
He also remembered attending a birthday celebration for Ippolito's wife alongside Remy Ma and Terror Squad member Pistol Pete. Simpson was among the guests, and what happened when the birthday cake arrived made the evening particularly memorable. "Joe Bentley puts the machete in O.J.'s hand and says, 'You did it. You did it,'" Fat Joe recalled. According to the rapper, Simpson then chased Ippolito around the house with the weapon.
The anecdote has since resurfaced online, with Stereogum highlighting its connection to the newly reported allegations. Fat Joe's account suggests he knew Ippolito socially, but it does not establish whether Ippolito participated in the murders or helped conceal evidence. Simpson was acquitted of the killings in 1995 but found liable for both deaths in a 1997 civil trial. He died in 2024, while Ippolito died in 2006.
The New York Times also contacted Fat Joe while investigating Ippolito's background, but the rapper declined to comment. Reporter Mike Baker later shared footage from the podcast, identifying the man in Joe's story as the same informant the investigation examined.
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