In a strange turn of events, an animal rights group is turning to the chief executive of a big bank for help. They want O.J. Simpson's house.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, sent JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon a letter requesting that he donate Simpson's foreclosed house to the organization, CNNMoney reports. If the organization gets access to the house, PETA officials say they plan to use the property to open a "Meat Is Murder" museum, because Simpson often promoted meat products in the past.
The home of Simpson, who is currently serving a 9 to 33-year prison sentence for armed robbery and kidnapping in Nevada in 2007, was put into foreclosure by JPMorgan Chase in September. The four bedroom, four bathroom house was purchased by Simpson for $575,000 in 2000 but is now valued at roughly $478,000.
It seems Simpson, a former NFL star best known for the trial stemming from the murder of his ex-wife and her friend, is just the latest focus of a PETA publicity stunt. In fact, the organization has a history of edgy campaigns to raise awareness. Last year it took aim at famous video game icon Nintendo's Super Mario because of a suit the character wears in the game Super Mario 3D Land that resembles a Japanese raccoon dog called a Tanuki.
It also made an official request for the town of Turkey, Texas to change its name to Tofurky.
In addition the group's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" ad campaign featuring celebrities in the buff, its announcement of a pornographic website has also attracted attention.
It seems unlikely JPMorgan Chase will grant PETA's request. The bank, for one, hasn't taken much effort to help the homeowners themselves avoid foreclosures, at least according to the Obama administration and Treasury Department. In addition, Dimon is a known meat-eater. One of Dimon's favorite places to eat is Chicago's Gibsons Steakhouse, the Chicago Tribune reported in 2009.