MORNING NEWSBREAK | Convicted murderer and disbarred S.C. attorney Alex Murdaugh was sentenced Monday to 40 years in federal prison for stealing millions of dollars from clients and his law firm, becoming one of the U.S.’s top fraudsters. He is already serving a life sentence without parole in a state prison for killing his wife and son.
U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel of Charleston is reported to have said he sentenced Murdaugh to a harsher punishment than suggested because he stole from “the most needy, vulnerable people.” Federal agents recommended a sentence from 17 .5 to just under 22 years. Gergel also ordered Murdaugh to pay $8.7 million in restitution to his victims.
Last year, Murdaugh also pleaded guilty to financial crimes in state court and was ordered to serve 27 years in prison alongside his life sentence. The new federal sentence will run at the same time as his state prison term and he likely will have to serve all 40 years if his murder convictions are not overturned on appeal.
In other recent news:
CP NEWS: 80 candidates file for election in Charleston Co. As of April 1’s filing deadline, some 80 candidates filed to be candidates in the 2024 election cycle for districts that represent all or part of Charleston County. Across the state, three of South Carolina’s “sister senators,” including Charleston Republican Sandy Senn, will face GOP primary challengers in June. Meanwhile, 20 other legislators, including party-switching Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Richland, will not seek reelection this fall.
CP NEWS: PechaKucha 45 takes off April 10. The 45th iteration of PechaKucha – the fast-paced slideshow of inspirations, hopes and dreams of Charleston-area creatives – will feature eight people during its April 10 show at Charleston Music Hall.
Charleston judge approves ‘forever chemicals’ settlement. A Charleston judge overseeing thousands of water contamination lawsuits from across the country has approved a major settlement that could exceed $12 billion from a longtime manufacturer of “forever chemicals.”
S.C. gas prices fall, but remain above $3. The average price for a gallon of gasoline sits at $3.15 after a 2.3 decrease over the past week, according to a GasBuddy survey. The average price for a gallon of gas is up 12 cents over the past month and is 2.2 cents higher than one year ago.
Sullivan’s Island agrees to pay $227K to Charleston Water System. The Town of Sullivan’s Island has agreed to pay just over $227,000 to Charleston Water System amid a contract dispute that said Sullivan’s Island has been paying less than the correct rate since 2017, owing a total of $1,078,000 as of the beginning of March.
King BBQ temporarily closed after small fire. Chinese- and North Carolina-inspired barbecue restaurant King BBQ temporarily closed Saturday after a small fire was discovered behind a wall in the restaurant. The restaurant is closed until further notice.
Mount Pleasant details attainable housing project. Prosperity Builders, the developer of an attainable housing project in Mount Pleasant, is proposing a 100-unit townhome complex off Park Avenue in the Carolina Park area. The homes would have three bedrooms each and there would be eight units per acre.
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