Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced former attorney awaiting a new trial in the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul, now faces a tax debt exceeding $1.6 million. Newly published records from the South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) list Murdaugh as owing $1,630,201.02 in unpaid taxes, penalties, and interest. This amount places him among the state's largest individual tax delinquents on the SCDOR's latest quarterly report, published July 16. The debt is the fourth-largest attributed to an individual on the state's current list.
According to the SCDOR, the agency attempts to resolve tax debts through multiple attempts via letters, phone calls, or personal contact before a taxpayer's name is published. A state tax lien has also been filed against all individuals named on the delinquent list, making the debts a matter of public record.
Murdaugh's substantial tax liability comes as his legal team prepares for his retrial. His attorneys, Dick Harpootlian and Jim Griffin, previously stated they received a significant upfront fee approximately five years ago to handle the case through its conclusion. Harpootlian acknowledged that such prolonged legal battles can sometimes be economically challenging for his firm, but noted that accepting flat fees is inherent to their practice.
Murdaugh was convicted in March 2023 of fatally shooting his wife and son. Prosecutors had argued that he committed the murders to deflect from his extensive financial crimes, including embezzling client funds. However, his original conviction was overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court due to allegations of jury tampering by a court clerk. The court found that the clerk allowed public attention to influence her duty during the trial. The state has maintained that Murdaugh received a fair trial, but the convictions were reversed, remanding the case for new proceedings.
Murdaugh's defense attorneys have indicated they intend to raise several issues before the retrial, including a motion to examine unknown male DNA reportedly found under Maggie Murdaugh's fingernails. The date for the new trial has not yet been set.