CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) --Former Palmetto State Bank CEO Russell Laffitte appeared in federal court Monday receiving a federal sentence for a second time for his role in a financial crimes scheme with former Hampton County Lawyer and Convicted Murderer Alex Murdaugh. Laffitte was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison and ordered to pay a $3.5 million restitution for 6 federal counts of financial crimes.

Monday morning, in the courtroom, Judge Richard Gergel said this was an elaborate financial scheme that Laffitte played a critical role in and emphasized it could not have occurred without Laffitte’s assistance. The judge acknowledged Laffitte had lived a crime-free life before being engaged with Murdaugh but still considers this ‘a very serious matter.'

Laffitte had previously been foun

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