Former Attorney Alex Murdaugh Facing 27 Charges Alleging He Stole Nearly $5 Million

According to Attorney General Alan Wilson’s office, embattled South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh is facing new charges for stealing nearly $5 million.

A grand jury returned 27 new criminal charges Friday morning. According to the indictment, Murdaugh, 53, stole more than $4.8 million over the last four years. $3.5 million of that was part of an insurance payout meant for the family of his housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield. She died at his home in 2019.

Murdaugh faces seven counts of obtaining signature or property by false pretenses; seven counts of money laundering; eight counts of computer crimes; four counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent; and one count of Forgery.

This is just the latest in the saga of the ongoing legal battles Murdaugh is facing. He is currently behind bars without bail in a Columbia, SC jail for other charges related to Satterfield’s wrongful death settlement.

“The Satterfield family is grateful to law enforcement for their continued efforts in the investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Gloria Satterfield and the egregious breaches of trust and theft committed upon her sons,” the Satterfield family’s attorneys said to CNN. “The additional indictments brought today in connection with the crimes committed against Gloria and her sons as well as apparently others are welcome, long overdue, and were appropriately brought.”

Murdaugh is also facing several lawsuits in civil court. One of the lawsuits comes from his former firm, which alleges he misappropriated money.

In June, his wife and son were found shot to death outside their home. Murdaugh then conspired with Curtis Smith to kill him in September so his surviving son would be eligible to collect on a $10 million life insurance policy. Murdaugh was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, and filing a false police report.