Disgraced former South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh is set to be sentenced for nearly two dozen state financial crimes, including money laundering, breach of trust, conspiracy, forgery, and tax evasion. Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of 27 years in prison, in addition to the two life sentences he is already serving for the murders of his wife and son.
Creighton Waters, prosecutor for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, stated that the plea deal would ensure Murdaugh remained in state prison for a very long time. Lawyer Eric “EB” Bland, representing several of Murdaugh’s victims, stated that the agreed sentence sends a powerful signal to anyone attempting to victimize the vulnerable.
Prosecutors described the decade-long scheme carried out by Murdaugh, using his power and influence to deceive and steal from his victims. One example cited was the case of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaughs’ longtime housekeeper, whose family never received the funds from a settlement with Murdaugh following her death. Instead, the funds were used to pay off Murdaugh’s credit cards and loans.
Despite facing the state charges, Murdaugh separately pleaded guilty to nearly two dozen federal charges of stealing millions of dollars from his clients. His legal saga could continue as he seeks to appeal his convictions for the murders of his wife and son. However, the appeal is on hold as his defense team pursues a motion for a new trial based on allegations of jury tampering, which has been denied by the Colleton County Clerk of Court, Becky Hill.