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Disgraced South Carolina lawyer Alex Murdaugh used $ 2 million from his former family housekeeper’s estate to pay off a suspected hitman accused of shooting him as part of a botched suicide program attended, according to lawyers of the governess’s sons.
Curtis Edward Smith, also known as “Cousin Eddie”, was paid with funds from proceeds that were supposed to be used to settle the travel and fall death of Gloria Satterfield in 2018, the longtime housekeeper of the Murdaugh family, according to Eric Bland and Ronnie Richter. Attorneys for the Satterfield estate have filed a lawsuit in an amended lawsuit that also accuses Bank of America of aiding and abetting Murdaugh launder millions of stolen funds.
He also engaged in other suspicious activity that should have been reported by the banking giant, according to the prosecution.
SC JUSTICE FREEZES ALEX MURDAUGH’S ASSETS AS A CIVIL SUIT AGAINST SCION MOUNT LEGAL
Alex Murdaugh is taken to a holding cell while in court on vacation at the Richland Judicial Center in Columbia, SC on October 19.
(AP Photo / Lewis M. Levine, Pool)
“BOA is a money launderer’s bank. BOA is a fraud bank,” the lawsuit said. “It’s nothing more than a high-tech laundromat.”
The lawsuit seeks to explore Smith’s possible role in Murdaugh’s alleged fraud and demands that he turn over any money or property belonging to Satterfield’s estate.
A lawsuit was originally filed on September 15 on behalf of Satterfield’s sons Michael Anthony Satterfield and Brian Harriott, detailing the theft of money from the governess’s heirs. Claims for wrongful death have been obtained from insurance companies totaling $ 4.3 million.
Gloria satterfield
(https://www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com/obituary/Gloria-Satterfield)
The amended lawsuit says Murdaugh issued checks to Smith between October 8, 2019 and May 28, 2021 through fake “Forge” accounts for nearly $ 165,000. Another 254 checks totaling $ 1.8 million were issued to Smith from Murdaugh’s personal account and through transfers from fake accounts, the lawsuit says.
“According to reports and beliefs, at least part of the funds transferred to cousin Eddie came from money that was unfairly taken from the plaintiffs,” the lawsuit said.
Fox News has contacted Murdaugh’s attorney.
Documents provided by attorneys for Satterfield’s estate allegedly show a Bank of America account under the name “Forge,” which was used to hold $ 3.4 million that was allegedly stolen from various victims.
“With this action, the Satterfield family hope to find the answer to the ultimate question: where is the money? Bland and Richter said in a statement.
Bank of America denies any wrongdoing and said it was not aware of any theft.
Curtis Eddie Smith (left) is accused of shooting Alex Murdaugh (right) in an alleged botched suicide plot. Attorneys for Gloria Satterfield’s estate said Murdaugh paid Smith part of the funds from Satterfield’s estate.
(Colleton County Sheriff’s Office / Hampton County Detention Center)
“There is no basis for this lawsuit, and we ask the court to dismiss it,” the company said in a statement to Fox News. “Make no mistake, the perpetrator here was Mr. Murdaugh, and the embezzlement of these funds occurred far from Bank of America. We were not aware of any thefts and followed standard account opening procedures. for a sole proprietorship. “
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has opened an investigation into Statterfied’s death, which was found to be natural but inconsistent with injuries sustained in a trip-and-fall accident, said officials.
Murdaugh is previously charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and filing a false police report in connection with an alleged September 4 shooting. He reportedly told authorities he hired Smith to shoot him so that his surviving son, Buster Murdaugh, could collect a $ 10 million life insurance policy.
The shooting took place after Murdaugh resigned from the Hampton, South Carolina law firm founded by his great-grandfather amid allegations he had hijacked millions of clients.
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In June, his wife, Maggie, and their 22-year-old son, Paul, were murdered in their home. No suspect has been named in this case and the murders remain unsolved. Alex Murdaugh has denied any involvement.
Danielle Wallace of Fox News contributed to this report.
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