Earlier this year, a banker was indicted for helping disbarred attorney Alex Murdaugh steal money from clients. The indictment alleges that Murdaugh and Laffitte schemed to steal money from personal injury clients.
The indictment alleges that Murdaugh fraudulently used a $309,581 check meant for the Pinckney family to fund his personal account. It was supposed to be a part of the Pinckney family’s settlement. However, the family never saw the money again. It went instead to Murdaugh’s wife and son.
It was also alleged that Murdaugh used a fake checking account called “Forge” to make the money disappear. Murdaugh created the account to transfer the money from his client accounts to his own. The bank of America allowed Murdaugh to set up the account.
The indictment also alleges that Murdaugh used his family’s account to pay his credit card bills. He also took money out of four other clients’ accounts. Murdaugh was charged with stealing $6.2 million. He is also accused of conspiring to kill a client, Curtis Smith.
Alex Murdaugh is a member of an influential family of lawyers in South Carolina. Murdaugh’s father, Paul, was killed in a boating accident last year. His wife, Maggie, 52, was shot and killed June 7, 2021.
Murdaugh’s attorneys have focused on his lies. The defense has also argued that Murdaugh was following instructions from his client. However, they have also noted that Murdaugh is currently in a drug rehabilitation program.
A defense attorney has also suggested that Laffitte could have used the cash to divert money to family members. However, Laffitte could have also used it to pay back loans. If Laffitte is convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
