Alex Murdaugh sentenced to 40 years in federal prison. 'Extensive, brazen and callous.'

With two state prison sentences already on his shoulders, confessed and convicted fraudster Alex Murdaugh walked into a federal courthouse in Charleston, South Carolina, Monday to receive yet another – a hefty federal prison sentence.

Disbarred lawyer Richard Alexander “Alex” Murdaugh was sentenced to 480 months, or 40 years, in federal prison, in connection with a sweeping decade-plus, multimillion-dollar financial fraud crime spree that engulfed more than a score of victims in multiple South Carolina counties.

This 40-year term will run concurrently with Murdaugh's state prison terms. He is serving a pair of life sentences for the June 2021 murders of his wife and son and 27 years for state fraud charges.

Murdaugh has also been ordered to pay $8,762,731.88 in restitution.

United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel imposed the sentence after a brief sentencing hearing at the United States District Courthouse in Charleston.

Murdaugh, 55, pleaded guilty on Sept. 21, 2023, to 22 charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; bank fraud; wire fraud; and money laundering.

“Alex Murdaugh’s financial crimes were extensive, brazen, and callous,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs after Murdaugh signed the plea agreement last fall. “He stole indiscriminately from his clients, from his law firm, and from others who trusted him. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and South Carolina LED committed to investigating and prosecuting Murdaugh’s financial crimes when they first came to light. Today marks our fulfillment of that promise.”

During the hearing, Murdaugh addressed the court and his victims, saying that he was "filled with" guilt and sorrow, but appeared to continue to blame his crimes on his reported opiate addiction, a claim the judge and federal prosecutors rebutted.

Several of Murdaugh's victims addressed the court, and as they did in state sentencing hearings, many referenced the grace of God and forgiveness.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton, and Winston Holliday prosecuted the case. 

This is a developing story and will be updated.