On Monday, a federal court sentenced ex-lawyer — and convicted killer — Alex Murdaugh to 40 years for stealing millions from his former clients.
The Greenville News reported that Murdaugh’s 40-year federal sentence will run concurrently with the 27-year state sentence he received last year for similar crimes. Murdaugh is currently serving two life sentences for killing his wife and son, Maggie and Paul, who were found shot on the family’s property in 2021.
Murdaugh said on Monday that he was “filled with” guilt and attributed his acts to opioid addiction, per the Greenville News.
READ: Crime Online’s Coverage on Alex Murdaugh’s Fall From Grace
“I want you to know and I want the victims to know, I am filled with sorrow, I am filled with remorse, I am filled with guilt. I am very committed to trying to be a better person,” he said, according to The State.
Murdaugh’s claim that addiction fueled his crimes was met with pushback by U.S. District Judge Richard M. Gergel, who asserted that his acts were too intricate for an impaired person to carry out. The judge accused the now-disbarred attorney of using his “charm and charisma” to deceive and scam his victims, The State reported.
In September, Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 federal counts of financial fraud and money laundering. Murdaugh agreed to cooperate with an ongoing investigation — including passing polygraph tests. Prosecutors said Murdaugh violated the terms of his plea deal by failing the polygraph tests and dodging detectives’ questions.
According to the Greenville News, Murdaugh was also ordered to pay $8,762,731.88 in restitution.
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[Feature Photo: Alex Murdaugh/Jeff Blake/The State via AP, Pool]
