Murdaugh ordered to pay in lawsuit involving housekeeper death
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A judge ruled against convicted murderer, fraudster and former attorney Alex Murdaugh in a civil insurance fraud case.
Meanwhile, alleged co-conspirator Cory Fleming is taking the claims to trial, maintaining innocence.
Nautilus Insurance originally filed the suit to recoup the $3.8 million. It says Alex Murdaugh obtained it by false claims when filing for life insurance for his late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.
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Federal Judge Richard Gergel ruled in favor of Nautilus Insurance in its civil claim against Murdaugh for conspiracy, unfair trade practices and damages. The ruling comes at the request of the parties for a quick decision by the judge. Gergel ruled against Murdaugh, ordering $14.8 million in damages for this civil case.
Nautilus also named disbarred attorney and state and federally convicted fraudster Cory Fleming as an alleged conspirator in the civil complaint. Fleming is taking his case to trial.
Satterfield’s death happened before Maggie and Paul Murdaugh’s murders put the family in the spotlight.
In an insurance claim to Murdaugh’s company on behalf of Satterfield’s sons, Murdaugh said their mother tripped over the Murdaugh’s dogs and fell downstairs at work, leading to a head injury and her death.
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On the stand, Alex Murdaugh itted he fabricated the story about Satterfield tripping and falling over their dogs. He also itted he is the one who convinced the Satterfield sons to file that claim against him, saying they would get paid for it, with the intent of stealing their payout money. He also its to successfully getting that money.
After hearing this information come out, Nautilus Insurance filed its civil complaint against Murdaugh, and named Fleming and his law firm at the time as alleged conspirators for helping handle the claim.
Fleming is a former lawyer and convicted at the state and federal level of fraud in other Murdaugh money schemes. He says he and his law firm helped facilitate the Satterfield insurance payout, but he didn’t know it was fraudulent.
On Monday, the court plans to select 10 jurors and proceed with testimony in his trial.
Lawyers expected the trial to last no more than a few days.
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