One day after Connor Cook filed a lawsuit against Alex and Buster Murdaugh in the 2019 boat crash that killed Mallory Beach, a federal judge ruled that the Murdaughs’ insurance provider does not have to cover them in Mallory Beach’s wrongful death lawsuit — which means they could be on the hook for millions of dollars.
The judge’s ruling comes three weeks after Alex Murdaugh‘s allegedly staged a bizarre suicide-for-hire insurance fraud shooting scheme that landed him momentarily behind bars.
Following that suspicious shooting, Alex Murdaugh’s reputation began unraveling when his own PR team admitted that the former prominent attorney had major financial and drug troubles.
After that, the law firm his great-grandfather built accused Alex Murdaugh of stealing millions of dollars.
Then, Alex Murdaugh was suspended from practicing law.
After that, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) — the same agency investigating the recent murders of Maggie Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh — opened up an investigation about the suspicious death and death settlement of Gloria Satterfield, the Murdaugh’s housekeeper who died at the Murdaugh’s home. A lawsuit was recently filed for the missing money related to the Satterfield settlement.
(Click to Listen)
RELATED | CHEER INCORPORATED
***
Needless to say, it has been a bad month for Alex Murdaugh.
The recent news, however, makes matters worse.
Judge Sherri A. Lydon ruled Tuesday that Philadelphia Indemnity can legally deny the Murdaughs coverage in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Mallory Beach’s mother Renee Beach. The insurance company filed suit against the Murdaughs to formally deny coverage in 2019.
In February 2019, a “highly intoxicated” Paul Murdaugh was allegedly driving his father’s boat when Mallory Beach was killed in a horrific crash near Parris Island, South Carolina. At the time of Paul Murdaugh’s death, he faced three felony boating under the influence charges in that crash.
Renee Beach — who is being represented by attorney Mark Tinsley — is seeking damages from Parker’s gas station, where Paul Murdaugh illegally purchased alcohol before the crash, as well as Alex and Buster Murdaugh. In the lawsuit, Alex is accused of enabling Paul’s underage drinking habits, while Buster is accused of allowing his brother Paul to use his ID for drinking.
The judge made this decision against the Murdaughs for multiple reasons.
The policy in question was for a commercial “guides and outfitters” operation and for several reasons, neither Buster nor Alex Murdaugh were covered under that policy.
The lawsuit did not say what business the insurance policy was for but FITSNews found four businesses under Alex Murdaugh’s name (formally Richard Alexander Murdaugh) — Murdaugh Charters LLC, Redbeard LLC, Medical Consultants of the Lowcountry, and Eclipse Landscape and Design.
Hmmmmm…
Alex Murdaugh has recently been accused of participating in multiple insurance scam operations for drug money, but that was not mentioned in the judge’s decision.
During Alex’s bond hearing last week, Murdaugh’s attorney Dick Harpootlian attempted to paint his client as a desperate drug addict suffering financial hardship.
But is he?
Between accusations from Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth and Detrick (PMPED) and the Gloria Satterfield accusations, Murdaugh has been accused of misappropriating well over $10 million.
Where is that money now? And how can he afford two of the most expensive defense attorneys in the state if he doesn’t have any money?
Following the strange alleged shooting of Alex Murdaugh, Mark Tinsley — the attorney who is representing Mallory Beach’s mother Renee Beach in the wrongful death lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh, his son Buster Murdaugh, and Parker’s gas station — filed the lis pendens (which means pending suit) notice in Hampton County, South Carolina.
Tinsey’s latest move makes it clear that he will be going after Alex and Buster Murdaugh’s assets in case they try to sell them. It further shows Beach’s intent to pursue every avenue of recovery in the boat crash lawsuit.
Two other insurance companies — QBE Specialty and Homeowners of America — have denied Alex Murdaugh coverage in the lawsuit.
The June 10 Hearing
At the time of the double homicide, Alex appeared to be facing a tremendous amount of pressure both personally and financially — especially considering that the June 10 hearing would have likely forced him to reveal his financial troubles.
A hearing in Beach’s wrongful death lawsuit was scheduled for June 10, 2021 — three days after the double homicide.
At that hearing, a judge was supposed to rule on a number of motions in the case, including:
- Requiring Alex and Buster Murdaugh to disclose their financial records
- Moving the case from Hampton County to Beaufort County, where the crash took place.
That hearing also could have resulted in Paul and Maggie Murdaugh being added to the lawsuit, according to FITSNews sources.
In the lawsuit, Beach’s attorney has asked for the following financial documents:
- A list of checking, savings and 401( K) accounts
- A list of all investments
- Net worth statements
- Tax returns
Arguing that the interrogatory is too broad, the Murdaughs have refused to provide these documents after multiple requests from Beach’s attorney.
On June 7, 2021, Alex Murdaugh’s son — 22-year-old Paul Murdaugh — and Alex’s wife, 52-year-old Maggie Murdaugh were found shot to death near the dog kennel at Moselle. Although no arrests have been made. Alex Murdaugh has been named as person of interest in that double homicide.
Also, Alex’s father, family patriarch and former 14th circuit solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III, was on his death bed battling cancer.
Randolph Murdaugh died of cancer on June 10, 2021.
The civil lawsuit that was set for June 10 has not been rescheduled.
Alex Murdaugh was a volunteer solicitor who reportedly carried a badge issued by the 14th judicial circuit solicitor (South Carolina’s version of a district attorney) at the time of the crash.
Three generations of Murdaughs all served as solicitors over a five-county region in the South Carolina Lowcountry from 1920-2006, enabling the family to amass hundreds of political, prosecutorial and law enforcement connections.
*****
ABOUT THE AUTHOR..
Mandy Matney is the news director at FITSNews. She’s an investigative journalist from Kansas who has worked for newspapers in Missouri, Illinois, and South Carolina before making the switch to FITS. She currently lives on Hilton Head Island where she enjoys beach life. Mandy also hosts the Murdaugh Murders podcast. Want to contact Mandy? Send your tips to mandy@fitsnews.com.
***
WANNA SOUND OFF?
Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.
