HAMPTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA – Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh was given a 40-year prison sentence on Monday by a federal judge, following his guilty plea to numerous financial crimes. These crimes included charges of conspiracy, fraud, and money laundering. The judge also ordered Murdaugh to pay over $8.7 million in restitution to his victims. This federal sentence will run concurrently with the 27-year sentence he is already serving for similar misconduct in state court.
Murdaugh, a disbarred attorney, was found guilty in state court of defrauding his personal injury clients and law firm out of millions of dollars. Prosecutors claim that his actions were motivated by a desire to distract from and delay investigations into his financial crimes. In addition to these sentences, Murdaugh had previously received two consecutive life sentences without parole for the murders of his wife and son.
Although he maintains his innocence in the murders, Murdaugh has admitted to the fraud charges. In court, he attributed some of his actions to an opioid addiction but expressed remorse for the harm he caused. The judge, US District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel, emphasized the significant impact of Murdaugh’s crimes on vulnerable individuals who turned to him for help during difficult times.
The sentencing hearing began with discussions regarding an allegation that Murdaugh had failed a polygraph examination, potentially violating the terms of his plea agreement. Prosecutors asked to be released from the deal, but the issue became irrelevant when Judge Gergel announced his intention to impose a concurrent sentence.
US Attorney Adair Boroughs expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the importance of obtaining justice for Murdaugh’s financial victims. She emphasized that these victims had placed their trust in an attorney during challenging moments in their lives, only to be betrayed.
As a developing story, more updates may follow in this case.