Nautilus Insurance Sues Fleming: Former South Carolina attorney Cory Fleming awaits his sentencing in Beaufort, S.C. on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. Fleming, an old college friend to Alex Murdaugh, pleaded guilty last month to 23 state charges that he helped Murdaugh steal millions of dollars in legal settlements.
January 8, 2025 | JacobiJournal.com — Days after a court ordered Alex Murdaugh to pay almost $15 million to Nautilus Insurance Co., his co-conspirator, Cory Fleming, is now on trial for his involvement in the fraudulent scheme. The proceedings mark another chapter in the ongoing fallout from the Murdaugh scandal, with prosecutors and civil attorneys arguing that Fleming played a direct role in helping divert settlement funds that were meant for the family of Gloria Satterfield. His trial is drawing significant public attention, not only because of his long association with Murdaugh but also because it highlights how deeply the fraud reached into South Carolina’s legal and insurance systems.
Murdaugh’s Fraud and Legal Consequences
Alex Murdaugh, a prominent South Carolina attorney, drew global attention after he was convicted in 2023 for murdering his wife and son. Along with the murders, Murdaugh admitted to 27 counts of financial crimes, including defrauding insurance companies. Nautilus Insurance sues Fleming in connection with these crimes.
Murdaugh and his friend Cory Fleming exploited an insurance settlement following the 2018 death of Murdaugh’s housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield. Murdaugh falsely claimed that his dogs caused her fall at the family’s hunting camp. He convinced Satterfield’s family to file a claim under his umbrella policy, and Nautilus Insurance paid $3.8 million.
Instead of forwarding the settlement money, Murdaugh and Fleming allegedly diverted much of it for personal use. After Murdaugh’s confession, a court ordered him to pay $14.8 million in damages to Nautilus. Fleming, who helped with the fraud, now faces trial in a civil lawsuit for his role in the scheme.
Fleming’s Trial and Legal Arguments
Nautilus Insurance accuses Fleming of civil conspiracy and negligence, claiming that the fraud deceived and harmed the insurer. Fleming’s defense argues that Nautilus had ample time to investigate the claim and failed to uncover evidence of fraud.
The Charleston Post and Courier reported that a Nautilus agent raised concerns about the Satterfield claim. Despite these warnings, the company proceeded with the settlement. After Murdaugh and Fleming’s criminal convictions, Nautilus gathered the evidence it needed and filed this civil suit.
Fleming’s trial began on Monday and will likely conclude within the week.
For further details, read the original article on Bloomberg.
FAQs: Nautilus Insurance Sues
What is Nautilus Insurance suing Cory Fleming for?
Nautilus Insurance sues Fleming for civil conspiracy and negligence tied to the fraudulent Satterfield settlement.
How is Alex Murdaugh connected to the Nautilus Insurance lawsuit?
Murdaugh and Fleming allegedly diverted $3.8M from Nautilus Insurance, leading to Murdaugh’s $14.8M judgment and Fleming’s civil trial.
Why does Nautilus Insurance seek damages from Fleming?
Nautilus Insurance sues Fleming to recover losses from the fraudulent settlement that harmed the insurer and violated its trust.
What impact could Nautilus Insurance’s lawsuit have on future fraud cases?
If successful, the lawsuit may strengthen insurers’ use of civil conspiracy claims in fraud recovery efforts.
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