New Battle in Alex Murdaugh Case: Asset Control Dispute
Attorneys for Convicted Murderer Alex Murdaugh Seek Federal Government’s Help in Recovering Stolen Assets
In a bold move, the legal team representing convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh is urging the federal government to step in and take control of the millions of dollars and other assets that Murdaugh illicitly obtained through his legal work. For nearly two years, these assets have been under state control, but Murdaugh’s attorneys argue that the federal government should handle the proceedings without charging exorbitant fees like the state-appointed receivers.
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The state-appointed receivers, responsible for managing Murdaugh’s assets, have demanded transparency from his lawyers regarding their own compensation. These receivers have already denied a request for additional funds to support Murdaugh’s appeal of his life sentence without parole for the murder of his wife and son.
This battle over Murdaugh’s ill-gotten gains emerged following his recent guilty plea to 22 financial crimes. While serving a life sentence for the murders, Murdaugh awaits sentencing in the federal financial crimes case.
In November 2021, Judge Daniel Lee ordered Murdaugh to surrender his assets to the receivers, fearing that he and his family might attempt to conceal them and deprive the victims of their rightful share. The receivers have been diligently examining Murdaugh’s property holdings and bank accounts to determine what can be used for his defense. These lawyers, along with a new addition to their team, have been charging substantial fees for their services.
“Without the Receivers’ efforts over the last two years, it is very likely there would be nothing left for any of Alex Murdaugh’s victims,” stated lawyers Peter McCoy and John Lay.
The exact value of Murdaugh’s assets remains undisclosed in court records, although his lawyers estimate it to be over $1 million. As part of his plea agreement, Murdaugh has agreed to pay $9 million in restitution.
The receivers claim to have dedicated nearly 3,000 hours to locating Murdaugh’s assets and determining his allowable expenses. They have been compensated with over $641,000, which they argue is a discounted rate compared to the standard contingency rates that Murdaugh himself used to charge.
Murdaugh’s legal team has previously clashed with the state receivers. When his murder trial extended beyond expectations, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin requested additional funds for his appeal but were denied.
While the lawyers representing clients awaiting compensation from Murdaugh’s assets are not seeking federal intervention, attorney Mark Tinsley, who represents the family of Mallory Beach, a victim of a fatal boat crash involving Murdaugh’s son, criticized Murdaugh’s lawyers’ motives as a “scheme to get Dick and Jim paid some more since the state court wouldn’t.”
Griffin and Harpootlian have repeatedly emphasized that their defense of Murdaugh was not driven by financial gain, and they accepted significantly less compensation than they would typically receive.
Interestingly, various individuals involved in the Murdaugh case, including defense lawyers and a state prosecutor, recently attended a true crime convention in Florida, where they discussed the case with avid fans.
During the CrimeCon convention, Harpootlian assured the audience that he has amassed more wealth than he could possibly spend and pledged to represent Murdaugh pro bono throughout the appeals process, if necessary.
“What else am I going to do? Play golf?” Harpootlian quipped.
Why does Murdaugh’s legal team argue that the state-appointed receivers have been ineffective in distributing the funds and providing a clear account of their compensation?
The victims and their families,” said Alan Stephens, one of the attorneys representing Murdaugh. “However, we believe that the federal government is better equipped to handle the recovery of these assets and ensure a fair distribution to the victims.”
Murdaugh’s legal team argues that the state-appointed receivers have been slow to distribute the funds and have failed to provide a clear account of their own compensation. They claim that the receivers’ fees have been excessive and have hindered Murdaugh’s ability to mount a strong defense.
“We have seen a lack of transparency and accountability from the state-appointed receivers,” said Stephens. “By involving the federal government, we believe we can ensure a more efficient and equitable process.”
In addition to requesting the federal government’s intervention, Murdaugh’s attorneys are also urging the court to reconsider his life sentence without parole. They argue that it is excessive given his cooperation with authorities in the financial crimes case and his willingness to provide restitution to the victims.
“We acknowledge the seriousness of the crimes he has committed, but we believe that a life sentence without parole is disproportionate,” said Stephens. “If given the opportunity, Mr. Murdaugh is committed to making amends and rebuilding his life.”
The federal government has not yet responded to the request for intervention, but legal experts suggest that it may be unlikely for the government to get involved in a case that is primarily centered around state crimes. However, if the court determines that the state-appointed receivers have been ineffective in managing Murdaugh’s assets, the federal government may be called upon to step in.
Meanwhile, the victims’ families remain hopeful that they will receive their share of the recovered assets. They have expressed frustration with the lengthy legal proceedings and the delays in the distribution of funds.
“We have suffered greatly as a result of Alex Murdaugh’s actions, and we deserve to be compensated,” said Sarah Johnson, whose sister was one of the victims of the murders. ”We urge the court to consider our plight and ensure that justice is served.”
As the legal battle over the recovery of Alex Murdaugh’s stolen assets continues, it remains to be seen whether the federal government will intervene and bring a resolution to this complex case. In the meantime, the victims and their families anxiously await a fair distribution of the funds that were illicitly obtained through Murdaugh’s illegal activities.
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