James Caldwell|Alex Murdaugh pleads guilty to financial crimes in state court, adding to prison time

2025-05-07 05:16:29source:Burley Garciacategory:Scams

BEAUFORT,James Caldwell S.C. (AP) — Alex Murdaugh pleaded guilty Friday to financial crimes in state court, adding to the prison time facing the longtime lawyer who was convicted of killing his wife and son.

Murdaugh agreed to plead guilty to more than a dozen counts, including money laundering, breach of trust and financial fraud, in exchange for a 27-year sentence. Judge Clifton Newman said he intends to accept the plea deal. He set a sentencing hearing for Nov. 28 at which victims or their families will get to speak.

Murdaugh had been accused of stealing millions in legal settlements from clients who were badly injured or the families of those killed on the job. Victims included the family housekeeper who died in a fall at the Murdaugh home in South Carolina. He is also accused of stealing millions from his law firm. He also had been accused of ducking hundreds of thousands in state income taxes.

Murdaugh is already serving life in prison without parole after he was convicted in March of two counts of murder.

His lawyers are seeking a new trial in the murder case, citing allegations that the court clerk tampered with the jury. The clerk has denied the allegations.

Murdaugh already admitted his guilt in federal court in September to 22 counts of financial fraud and money laundering.

___

Pollard is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

More:Scams

Recommend

Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there

AI-assisted summarySeveral countries are offering financial incentives to attract residents, particu

Biden’s Cabinet secretaries will push a divided Congress to send aid to Israel and Ukraine

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken will make the

Florida school district agrees to improve instruction for students who don’t speak English

GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — A north Florida school district has agreed to improve the way it tea