Federal Court Rejects Murdaugh’s Appeal That 40 Years Is Too Harsh for Stealing Millions

Alex Murdaugh shakes hands with his attorney Jim Griffin during his sentencing for stealing from 18 clients, Nov. 28, 2023, at the Beaufort County Courthouse in Beaufort, S.C. Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool

COLUMBIA, S.C.—A federal court has rejected Alex Murdaugh’s request to throw out his 40-year sentence for stealing from clients and his law firm. The disgraced South Carolina lawyer said his punishment is a decade longer than what prosecutors recommended.

U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel said in April that he chose a harsher prison sentence because Murdaugh stole from “the most needy, vulnerable people,” clients who were maimed in wrecks or lost loved ones and had placed all their problems and all their hopes with the now disbarred attorney.