Beaufort County, S.C. – In a stunning turn of events, former attorney Cory Fleming has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for his involvement in several financial schemes alongside his longtime friend, Alex Murdaugh. This sentence comes as a significant development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding these two individuals.
The Sentencing Details
During the sentencing proceedings, Cory Fleming faced multiple charges related to financial crimes committed against vulnerable clients. Specifically, he was sentenced to 10 years for each of the Satterfield and Pinckney cases, with these sentences to run consecutively.
Notably, these sentences were ordered to run concurrently with the other, lesser sentences, resulting in a total of 20 years in state prison for Fleming.
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Judge Clifton Newman, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of Fleming’s actions, labeling them as “unprecedented” and “unimaginable.” He noted that this case was perhaps the most significant crime committed by a lawyer in the history of South Carolina.
Background on the Financial Crimes
The charges against Cory Fleming stem from his involvement in financial schemes alongside Alex Murdaugh. The two were accused of stealing millions of dollars from the Satterfield and Pinckney families.
This money was intended for clients who were in vulnerable situations, such as Pamela Pinckney, who suffered severe injuries in a car accident, and the family of Gloria Satterfield, who tragically passed away.
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Fleming pleaded guilty to a total of 23 financial crimes, both in federal court and at the state level. It was alleged that he actively participated in diverting funds from these families, even independently of Murdaugh’s actions.
State’s Perspective
State prosecutor Creighton Waters maintained a strong stance during the proceedings, asserting that Fleming had not shown sufficient remorse for his actions.
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Waters argued that Fleming had taken deliberate steps to divert money from the Satterfield family and pointed to various instances where Fleming misappropriated funds.
Fleming’s Apology
Throughout the legal proceedings, Cory Fleming expressed remorse and offered apologies to the victims of his crimes. He acknowledged his betrayal of their trust and admitted that there were no excuses for his actions.
Fleming had already started serving a four-year federal prison sentence for his role in conspiring with Murdaugh to steal money from the Satterfields.
Details In Short:
- Date: Cory Fleming was sentenced on September 14.
- Location: The sentencing took place in Beaufort County, South Carolina.
- Name: Cory Fleming, a former attorney, was the defendant.
- Age: Cory Fleming is 54 years old.
- Charges: He faced charges related to financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
- Sentencing: Cory Fleming was sentenced to 20 years in state prison.
- Consecutive Sentences: He received two consecutive 10-year sentences for the Satterfield and Pinckney cases.
- Federal Sentencing: Prior to this, Fleming had already been sentenced to four years in federal prison for conspiring with Alex Murdaugh.
- Accomplice: He was found guilty of being a co-conspirator in financial schemes alongside Alex Murdaugh.
- Amount Stolen: The state alleged that Cory Fleming was responsible for the theft of approximately $3.7 million.
- Judge’s Remarks: Judge Clifton Newman stated that Fleming’s actions were unprecedented and unimaginable and described them as the greatest crime for a lawyer in the history of South Carolina.
- Victims: The victims of the financial schemes included Pamela Pinckney and the family of Gloria Satterfield.
Justice Served
The sentencing of Cory Fleming to 20 years in state prison marks a significant milestone in the legal pursuit of justice in this complex case. With more legal proceedings on the horizon for other individuals involved, including Alex Murdaugh, South Carolina is determined to see these cases through to their conclusion.
In the words of South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, “In South Carolina, no one is above the law.” The state remains committed to upholding the principles of justice and ensuring that those who engage in financial wrongdoing are held accountable for their actions.
As this ongoing legal saga continues to unfold, the pursuit of justice remains at the forefront, and the state of South Carolina remains vigilant in seeking resolutions for the victims and their families affected by these financial schemes.
