Alex Murdaugh, Disbarred Lawyer and Convicted Felon, Labeled a Delinquent Taxpayer

A Notorious Figure's Latest Controversy

Richard Alexander "Alex" Murdaugh, a disbarred lawyer and convicted felon, has made headlines for his many dubious accomplishments. Once a respected attorney from a prominent legal family in Hampton, South Carolina, Murdaugh has fallen far from grace. His career took a dark turn when he was found to have stolen over $10 million from clients, partners, family, and friends. This led to multiple state and federal prison sentences, including two life terms for the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and younger son, Paul.

In addition to these criminal charges, Murdaugh has also been involved in numerous civil cases that resulted in millions of dollars in settlements or judgments. His legal troubles continue to escalate, with recent developments highlighting another troubling milestone.

Murdaugh Listed Among Top Delinquent Taxpayers

South Carolina recently updated its list of delinquent taxpayers for the first quarter of 2025, and Richard Murdaugh has made it into the top five. The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) released this information on July 15, updating the state’s Top Delinquent Taxpayers list. This list includes both individual and business taxpayers who owe significant amounts in unpaid taxes.

Murdaugh is listed as fifth on the list, with a total debt of $1,585,118.43. The address associated with his name is P.O. Box 457 in Hampton, S.C. 29924. While the SCDOR did not confirm whether this refers to Richard Alexander Murdaugh Sr., the address is linked to his former law firm, Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth, & Detrick (PMPED), now known as Parker Law Group.

Multiple public records, including those from Hampton County’s official government website, list this P.O. Box as the former location of PMPED.

Indictments for Tax Evasion

Murdaugh has faced several charges related to tax evasion. In December 2022, he was indicted by the state for nine counts of "willful attempt to evade or defeat a tax." These charges stem from alleged failure to report income earned through illegal acts between 2011 and 2019. At the time, Murdaugh owed the state $486,819 in unpaid taxes.

In April 2023, he was indicted again for additional tax evasion charges. This second indictment, brought by a South Carolina State Grand Jury, accused him of failing to pay state taxes on money allegedly stolen from personal injury law clients. The charges covered tax years 2020 and 2021, during which Murdaugh reportedly failed to report $2,113,067 in income. At that time, the total amount of unreported income across both indictments reached $9,067,706, with an estimated $619,391 in state taxes evaded.

It is important to note that these indictments did not include any federal tax evasion violations.

Understanding the SCDOR Delinquent Taxpayer List

The SCDOR launched the Top Delinquent Taxpayers lists in 2020 as a way to promote transparency and accountability. The lists replaced the agency’s former Debtor’s Corner initiative. According to the SCDOR, the goal is to ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. When individuals or businesses fail to comply with tax laws, the burden falls on others.

The lists are updated quarterly and can be accessed online at dor.sc.gov/delinquent-taxpayers. It is worth noting that being listed does not necessarily mean someone has committed a crime or been charged with a violation.

Other Residents on the Delinquent Taxpayer List

While the Top Delinquent Individuals List includes people from across the state and even some out-of-state residents, several Lowcountry residents are also listed. One other Hampton man owes $1.358 million in taxes. The full list, which includes names, addresses, and amounts owed, can be viewed at https://mydorway.dor.sc.gov/_/#4.

For businesses, the Top Delinquent Businesses list includes entities owned by both in-state and out-of-state individuals. The full business list is available at https://mydorway.dor.sc.gov/_/.