Cory Fleming, a former attorney and college buddy of convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh, has pleaded guilty to a second set of charges related to assisting Murdaugh in stealing millions of dollars of insurance settlements. Fleming, 54, entered his guilty plea to 23 state charges on Wednesday. Prosecutors have indicated they will seek a longer prison sentence for Fleming during a September hearing following his recent four-year federal sentence for similar charges.
During his federal sentencing, Fleming admitted to knowing that Murdaugh, who is currently serving a life sentence for killing his wife and son, intended to steal from the family of his deceased housekeeper. However, Fleming claimed he believed it would be a smaller amount, around $100,000, rather than the entire $4 million-plus award. Prosecutors argued that Fleming must have been aware of Murdaugh’s intentions and described his actions as knowingly assisting in the theft.
Fleming has surrendered his law license in Georgia and South Carolina, expressing remorse for dishonoring the legal profession. He is the second associate of Murdaugh to be sentenced to prison, following banker Russell Laffitte, who received a seven-year sentence earlier this month for his involvement in the theft of settlement money.
Murdaugh still faces over 100 charges in state and federal courts, including tax evasion, stealing from clients and his family’s law firm, running a drug and money laundering ring and attempting to arrange his own murder for insurance money. South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman, who sentenced Murdaugh to life, will preside over Fleming’s state sentencing on September 14.
The victims in Fleming’s case were Gloria Satterfield and her two sons. Satterfield had worked for the Murdaugh family for over 20 years, performing various tasks such as house cleaning and babysitting. Murdaugh promised to take care of Satterfield’s sons and recommended Fleming as their lawyer without disclosing their close personal relationship. Murdaugh convinced insurance companies to pay over $4 million to what they believed was Satterfield’s estate, but instead, the funds were redirected to Murdaugh.
The state charges against Fleming also involve another fraud victim, where settlement money from a car crash was stolen. Fleming used his share of the ill-gotten gains to charter a plane to attend the College World Series. The status of Murdaugh’s remaining cases will be discussed during the same hearing as Fleming’s sentencing.
