Alex Murdaugh Sentenced To 40 Years In Federal Prison, Blames Addiction For Stealing From Clients

By Kahlil Worrell

Alex Murdaugh, a convicted murderer and former lawyer, received a 40-year federal prison sentence on Monday for orchestrating various fraudulent schemes aimed at embezzling funds from his clients.

Alex & Maggie Murdaugh
(Photo : Instagram)

Following a guilty plea in September to charges including money laundering, wire fraud, and bank fraud, Alex Murdaugh faced a 40-year federal prison sentence. Additionally, he had previously received a 27-year state prison term for various financial crimes, such as money laundering, breach of trust, and financial fraud.

Murdaugh's federal sentence will be served concurrently with his state prison term, as reported by the Associated Press.

Once a prominent attorney in South Carolina's Lowcountry region, Murdaugh is currently serving two life sentences in state prison for the June 2021 murders of his wife Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22.

Maggie and Paul Murdaugh
(Photo : Facebook)

During the sentencing at a federal courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel condemned Murdaugh's actions, stating that he exploited "the most needy, vulnerable people," according to the AP.

"They placed all their problems and all their hopes on Mr. Murdaugh and it is from those people he abused and stole. It is a difficult set of actions to understand," Gergel stated, to AP.

Alex, Maggie, & Paul Murdaugh
(Photo : Instagram)

Alex Murdaugh, facing sentencing for his crimes, expressed remorse and acknowledged the role of addiction in his actions. He was ordered to pay over $8.7 million in restitution to his victims, including the family of Gloria Satterfield, his longtime housekeeper who died under suspicious circumstances.

Murdaugh, previously a prominent attorney, gained national attention after the deaths of his wife and son in June 2021. He was indicted and convicted for their murders in July 2022.