COLUMBIA, S.C. - Convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is facing federal charges for the first time after being indicted on 22 financial fraud charges over allegations that the disgraced former attorney schemed to steal settlement money from clients.The indictments unsealed Wednesday don't appear to reveal any new allegations against Murdaugh, a once prominent attorney in South Carolina who is serving a life sentence without parole for killing his wife and younger son.
He is also awaiting trial on around 100 other state charges including insurance fraud, tax evasion and theft.But Murdaugh's lawyers indicated he is talking with federal prosecutors and added this part of his legal difficulties may be resolved soon.READ MORE: Murdaugh Moselle estate items sell for big bucks as buyers descend on South Carolina auction"Alex has been cooperating with the United States Attorneys’ Office and federal agencies in their investigation of a broad range of activities.
We anticipate that the charges brought today will be quickly resolved without a trial," lawyers Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian said in a statement.Alex Murdaugh is found guilty on all counts for the murder of his wife and son at the Colleton County Courthouse on Thursday, March 2, 2023. (Joshua Boucher/The State/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) Murdaugh, 54, faces 14 counts of money laundering, five counts of wire fraud, one county of bank fraud, one county of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the federal indictments unsealed Wednesday.Each charge carries at least a maximum of 20 years in prison.