South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh is being accused of misappropriating money from his law firm, leading to his resignation just one day before he was shot.
On Friday, members of the Hampton law firm PMPED confronted Murdaugh, 53, about missing money before notifying law enforcement and the South Carolina Bar Association, local newspaperThe Island Packetreported. A source told the outlet on Monday night that over $1 million was missing and after being confronted, Murdaugh told his lawyer that he would be resigning.
For more on Alex Murdaugh and the murder mystery surrounding his family, and other top stories, listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
Murdaugh’s attorney Jim Griffin told PEOPLE in a statement that “Alex resigned from the firm after being accused of diverting lawyer fees. These allegations prompted him to confront his dependency and he voluntarily checked into an in-patient substance abuse rehab facility after being discharged from the hospital Monday.”
From left, Buster Murdaugh, Margaret “Maggie” Murdaugh, Paul Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh.Maggie Murdaugh/Facebook
According to theIsland Packet, a forensic accounting firm is now conducting an investigation into the missing funds.
PMPED did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
Murdaugh property.Andrew J. Whitaker/The Post And Courier via AP
“He was shot in the head while he was changing a tire,” Griffin previously confirmed to PEOPLE. “He is conscious and talking, which is a very good sign.”
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Despite the new allegations of misappropriated money, Murdaugh’s lawyer had said in an earlier statement on Sunday that his resignation from the family law firm was centered on his desire to focus on recovering from the deaths of his wife and son.
source: people.com
