COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) —

A at the time-popular South Carolina attorney now faces 71 fees that he stole virtually $8.5 million in wrongful demise and wreck settlements from a lot more than a dozen individuals immediately after a different spherical of indictments versus Alex Murdaugh have been handed up Friday.

The 23 new fees issued by the condition grand jury included new victims but similar schemes, prosecutors explained.

Murdaugh, 53, would negotiate settlement cash for his purchasers devoid of telling them what they earned, then deposit the checks intended to shell out for their agony and struggling or the anguish of the dying of a beloved a single into his have particular accounts — spending off loans or money owed or in techniques prosecutors have not in depth.

ALEX MURDAUGH Frequently STOLE FROM THE Dead, INDICTMENTS Assert

The new indictments lengthen Murdaugh’s crimes back extra than a ten years to 2011 and insert a new mystery. A number of of them stated Murdaugh applied dollars orders offered to an unnamed household member to get his fingers on the funds, prosecutors said.

Murdaugh has been in jail considering the fact that October for the ever-developing listing of breach of have faith in, forgery, money laundering and computer criminal offense fees. A decide set his bail at $7 million and refused to reduce it, even as Murdaugh’s law firm argued his bank accounts had been seized in civil lawsuits and he could scarcely afford to pay for to obtain underwear at the Richland County jail. He has blamed his problems on many years of drug habit.

Murdaugh’s skilled job started to unravel following his 52-yr-aged wife, Maggie, and 22-12 months-old son, Paul, ended up killed in a taking pictures at the family’s property in June. Murdaugh’s lawyers have adamantly mentioned he had absolutely nothing to do with it and consistently stated they hope investigators are operating as hard to find their killers as they are untangling Alex Murdaugh’s funds.

Judge Will not Decreased ALEX MURDAUGH’S $7M BOND, Claims He is Still A ‘FLIGHT Threat, DANGER’

Murdaugh is the fourth era of a well known legal family members in little Hampton County. His fantastic-grandfather, grandfather and father have been all elected prosecutors and his spouse and children helped run the most significant law business in the county for a century.

Friday’s indictments include rates for Murdaugh’s managing of the aftermath of a wreck that prompted a deaf gentleman to end up quadriplegic.

Murdaugh took a $309,000 look at he was meant to give to Hakeem Pinckney’s family and as an alternative bought dollars orders that went to deal with income he took from the accounts of other purchasers, to spend down a bank loan and get money for himself and an unnamed family members member, according to the indictment.

Then when Pinckney died in a nursing residence from the lingering consequences of his accidents, Murdaugh got an extra $89,000 settlement on Pinckney’s behalf, but deposited that check in his account with out ever telling the man’s family members, prosecutors explained.

Spouse OF SC Law firm ALEX MURDAUGH Left Everything TO HIM IN WILL Prior to HER MURDER

The attorney for the Pinckney loved ones said the transactions are complex and difficult to stick to and even extra revenue might have been stolen. Prosecutors have suggested at Murdaugh’s bond listening to that they still haven’t gotten to the bottom of his shady methods.

Pinckney was Black, and most of the individuals Murdaugh stole from have been like him — minorities and not very well off, household attorney Justin Bamberg explained.

“Alex gave them just ample funds so they would fall on their knees and say ‘thank you, Jesus’ and took the relaxation,” Bamberg mentioned.

Bamberg reported Murdaugh’s longtime regulation business, which fired him after mastering he was stealing revenue, his banker buddies and other professionals who Murdaugh utilized as particular representatives for hurt victims and grieving family members or who played other roles in serving to his schemes go on so very long ought to experience repercussions, as well, simply because even if they are not criminally liable, they must have asked inquiries.

“We are coming for your pockets. We’re going to get all the dollars these people had been intended to get,” Bamberg mentioned.

One more indictment Friday facts how beginning in 2013, Murdaugh gathered 14 settlement checks totaling additional than $1.3 million for a guy whose spouse died in a wreck and stole all the money for himself.

Other victims have bundled a state trooper, household pals and an immigrant living in the region illegally, according to past indictments.

At his bond hearings, Murdaugh’s attorneys blamed yrs of habit to opioids for his habits, saying he has sought counseling and wants to make issues ideal for the consumers he damage.

Murdaugh’s regulation license has been suspended considering the fact that his arrest in September soon after condition agents said he tried to arrange his individual dying so his surviving son could gather a $10 million daily life insurance policy.