Former South Carolina attorney Richard “Alex” Murdow, who has already been convicted of the murders of his wife and son, pleaded guilty in federal court today to more than 20 counts of bank fraud and other financial crimes that netted him millions dollars.

Murdow, 54, the scion of a powerful legal and judicial family that wielded great influence in west Charleston, was convicted in March 2021 of murdering his wife, Margaret, and their youngest son, Paul. He has appealed, insists he is innocent and is asking for a new trial in this case.

Today, in federal court in Charleston, he pleaded guilty to 22 financial crime charges and agreed to pay $9 million in restitution, his attorney said.

“Honestly, Alex will tell you two things. First, that he stole the money. Second, that he didn’t kill Maggie and Paul,” said attorney Dick Harputlian.

Prosecutors say Murdoch shot and killed his wife and son to distract authorities from his financial crimes, which date back to 2011.

He used the money he got from fraud and laundering to buy drugs – he was a longtime opioid addict – and maintain a lavish lifestyle.

Following these revelations, his license to practice in South Carolina was revoked.

“Today is the first time he has been held accountable for decades of theft,” said Deputy Prosecutor Emile Evans.

The financial crimes carry a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, but prosecutors will ask Judge Richard Gergel to order that the sentence be served concurrently with the two life sentences he was given for the murders.

Murdow also faces other charges of financial crimes, this time at the state level, and his trial is set to begin in late November.