The federal prosecutors have accused convicted killer Alex Murdaugh of not being truthful about the whereabouts of over $6 million he stole and the potential involvement of another attorney in his crimes. They are seeking to revoke their end of a plea deal with Murdaugh and are asking for him to receive a maximum sentence of well over 100 years in prison. Murdaugh is currently serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of his wife and younger son, as well as a 27-year sentence for stealing money from clients and his law firm in state court.
The FBI conducted a polygraph test on Murdaugh in October, following three previous interviews where they suspected he was not fully disclosing the truth about the stolen money and the potential involvement of another attorney. The results of the polygraph test, as well as summaries of his FBI interviews, are being kept confidential as a grand jury continues to investigate. Federal prosecutors have stated that Murdaugh did tell the truth about the roles played by banker Russell Laffitte and attorney Cory Fleming in helping him steal money. Laffitte was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Fleming received a nearly four-year sentence after pleading guilty.
Murdaugh pleaded guilty to 22 counts in federal court, each carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years, with some counts having a 30-year maximum. Prosecutors plan to ask for the stiffest sentence possible considering the breach of the plea agreement. They also intend for Murdaugh to serve his federal sentence after completing any state sentences. Both state and federal prosecutors estimate that Murdaugh stole over $12 million from clients, with at least $6 million remaining unaccounted for, which Murdaugh claims was spent on illegal drugs after becoming addicted to opioids.
The investigation into Murdaugh’s crimes revealed that he resorted to killing his wife and son in June 2021 as his schemes were on the verge of being exposed. Murdaugh has consistently denied involvement in their murders, even testifying in his own defense against his lawyers’ advice. During his guilty plea in federal court, Murdaugh admitted to his crimes for the first time and pledged to be fully truthful with law enforcement agencies. He expressed a desire to take responsibility for his actions and allow those he has harmed to begin the healing process. Murdaugh’s attorneys have yet to respond to the recent developments, although they have previously indicated opposition to keeping the details of the polygraph test confidential.
