Alex Murdaugh Update: South Carolina Lawyer Charged With Stealing Housekeeper’s Insurance Settlement

Prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was arrested Thursday in Orlando and charged with stealing millions in insurance settlements from the sons of his deceased housekeeper.

Murdaugh, 53, was arrested following his release from a drug rehabilitation facility. He was charged with two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Murdaugh, whose wife and 22-year-old son were shot dead on the grounds of their 1,770-acre hunting lodge, entered a drug rehabilitation facility after he allegedly paid a man to shoot him in the head so his eldest son could collect a life insurance payout.

Murdaugh had been arrested on Sept. 16 in connection with the plan. He was charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report.

The latest charges against Murdaugh are over the misappropriating of settlement funds related to the 2018 death of Gloria Satterfield, the family’s housekeeper.

Satterfield’s death was described as a “trip and fall” accident that occurred at the Murdaugh family home.

Although it has been three years since Satterfield's death, her two sons have reportedly not received any of the $4.3 million in settlements that were allegedly arranged by Murdaugh.

“Today is merely one more step in a long process for justice for the many victims in these investigations,” said Mark Keel, the chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

“(Agents) will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of those who were victimized by Alex Murdaugh and others. As I have said previously, we are committed to following the facts wherever they may lead us and we will not stop until justice is served.”

The reexamination into Satterfield’s death comes amid investigations into the deaths of Murdaugh’s wife and son.

Following Murdaugh’s latest arrest, his attorneys Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin claimed their client will do whatever is necessary to assist with the investigation.

“Alex intends to fully cooperate with this investigation, as he has with the investigation into the murder of his wife and son,” the legal team said in a statement. “He deeply regrets that his actions have distracted from the efforts to solve their murders.”

Murdaugh is expected to appear for a bond hearing on Friday for two felony counts of obtaining property by false pretenses.