Charleston, South Carolina – Disgraced legal scion Alex Murdaugh has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for federal financial fraud crimes, in addition to his existing state sentences, after a decade-long scheme where he stole millions from vulnerable legal clients. The sentence, handed down by US District Judge Richard Gergel, exceeds the 30 years requested by prosecutors and reflects the impact of Murdaugh’s crimes on the most needy and vulnerable individuals, according to reports.
Murdaugh, convicted of killing his wife and son, was also ordered to pay $8.7 million to several victims, including the family of Gloria Satterfield, his longtime housekeeper. Satterfield’s sons were urged by Murdaugh to file a wrongful death lawsuit and were subsequently swindled of the $4 million settlement money. The court ordered that the insurer receive $3.8 million from Murdaugh.
During his sentencing, Murdaugh expressed remorse and sorrow for his actions, acknowledging the magnitude of his guilt. Despite pleading guilty to federal charges related to his fraud scheme, he faced further scrutiny after prosecutors accused him of breaking a plea deal by lying on a polygraph test and hiding additional stolen money from 11 more victims.
The extent of Murdaugh’s financial crimes involved a complex web of accomplices, including fellow attorney Cory Fleming and banker Russell Laffitte, who were involved in embezzling funds through fake accounts and wrongful death lawsuits. This scheme unraveled as the law closed in on Murdaugh’s thefts, leading to the shocking murders of his wife and son in 2021.
Despite his convictions, Murdaugh continues to deny his involvement in the murders, even as damning evidence placed him at the scene just before the killings. His quest for a new trial, based on allegations of jury tampering, was ultimately denied, leaving him to face life in prison for the crimes he committed. The repercussions of Murdaugh’s actions continue to unfold, with investigations into accomplices and legal officials linked to his case.