Former South Carolina banker Russell Laffitte has been sentenced to five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud; wire fraud; bank fraud; and three counts of misapplication of bank funds.
Laffitte, 54, admitted that he agreed to serve as conservator and personal representative for several of Alex Murdaugh’s clients, knowing that he would personally profit from doing so. He pleaded guilty last Thursday to eight counts in state court.
Laffitte is one of several people investigators said were ensnared by Murdaugh as he stole millions from his law firm and clients in wrongful death and serious injury cases. Murdaugh is serving a life sentence for the killings of his wife and son in 2021.
United States District Judge Richard M. Gergel imposed the 60-month sentence, to be followed by a three-year term of supervision. The court also ordered Laffitte to pay a $20,000 fine and a $600 special assessment.