From Trust to Betrayal: How Cory Fleming Misused the Satterfield Estate Settlements
Charleston, S.C., — Cory Fleming is surrounded by the saga of Gloria Satterfield’s untimely death and the subsequent legal proceedings surrounding her estate is a tale that has gripped South Carolina and beyond. It’s a story where trust was weaponized, ethical boundaries were shattered, and vulnerable individuals were left in the shadows of a corrupted system. At the center of this controversy stands Cory Fleming, a once-trusted attorney accused of exploiting his fiduciary role for personal gain. This article delves deep into the allegations, the systemic failures that enabled them, and the broader implications for justice.
A Death That Shook a Community
Gloria Satterfield served as the Murdaugh family’s housekeeper for decades, becoming a trusted presence in their home. Her death in 2018, reportedly following a fall at their property, led to a wrongful death lawsuit against Richard Alexander Murdaugh. Representing the Satterfield family in the case was Cory Fleming, a close friend of Murdaugh. The lawsuit resulted in a $4.3 million settlement, including $505,000 paid by Brit Syndicates Ltd. and $3.8 million from Nautilus Insurance Company.
However, the documents reveal that the Satterfield family saw little of this money, as Fleming allegedly orchestrated a scheme to funnel the settlement funds for personal use.
In a shocking revelation, Patrick Wilson, in an exclusive interview with CC News Network, stated, “Paul pushed Gloria. He pushed her down the stairs. She didn’t fall like it was reported.” This allegation fundamentally shifts the narrative, raising questions about the true circumstances of Gloria’s death and its legal ramifications.
The ironic twist here is that Cory Fleming was Patrick Wilson‘s defense attorney in the 2015 case against Wilson for Assault & Battery 1st degree and Attempted Murder.
Breach of Trust and Ethical Violations
Court filings detail how Cory Fleming, leveraging his position and reputation, manipulated the settlement process to benefit himself and his close associates. Fleming concealed key settlement offers from the Satterfield family, ensured that a bank employee—rather than a family member—was appointed as the estate’s personal representative, and provided false justifications for disbursements from the trust account.
In one instance, Fleming issued a check for $8,500 to himself under the guise of “expert mediation expenses.” Subsequent investigations revealed that these funds were diverted for personal expenses, including mortgage payments, IRS debts, and entertainment purchases. The scale of misappropriation extended to other fraudulent transactions totaling more than $10,000.
Defendant Cory Fleming’s Opposition to Summary Judgment
Fleming’s legal team, in opposing the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment, has argued that he acted in accordance with legal norms and relied on the expertise of others involved in the case. They claim that decisions regarding the settlement process were made in consultation with estate representatives and other legal professionals.
The opposition filing denies that Fleming had any knowledge of or intent to defraud the Satterfield family. Instead, his legal team contends that any discrepancies in handling the funds were unintentional and not calculated acts of betrayal. Additionally, the document does not address or reference allegations regarding Paul Murdaugh’s alleged role in Gloria Satterfield’s death, focusing solely on Fleming’s actions as they pertain to the Satterfield estate and Nautilus Insurance.
These defenses emphasize systemic mismanagement and the involvement of multiple parties in decisions surrounding the settlement, aiming to shift some focus away from intentional wrongdoing. In fact, Fleming states that the Supreme Court’s Opinion disbarring Fleming contains no fact findings or legal conclusions of law that Mr. Fleming conspired against or defrauded Nautilus.
A Confidential Settlement
The mediation agreement, dated March 22, 2019, highlighted strict confidentiality terms. The $4.3 million settlement resolved all claims against Richard Alexander Murdaugh and his wife, Margaret, with an agreement that the settlement details and associated documents would remain sealed. While confidentiality in settlements is not uncommon, the Satterfield case raises questions about its use as a tool to obscure justice rather than facilitate it.
The Satterfield family has recovered over $6.5 million through settlements with various parties involved in the mishandling of funds related to Gloria Satterfield’s death. An amount more than they would have received if the insurance payment was actually paid. These settlements, separate from the original insurance payouts, include repayments from individuals and institutions implicated in the fraudulent diversion of money intended for the family. Defendants such as Cory Fleming, his law firm, and Palmetto State Bank reached agreements to compensate the family for the funds they were rightfully owed but had been deprived of due to alleged misconduct.
Nautilus did pay the the Satterfield’s claim, but they never saw much, if any of those funds because of the actions of Murdaugh and Fleming.
Systemic Failures and Legal Loopholes
This case underscores vulnerabilities within the legal system that allow attorneys to exploit their fiduciary roles. Trust accounts, intended to safeguard clients’ funds, were used as personal slush funds by Fleming. The absence of stringent oversight and the reliance on attorney good faith created fertile ground for this betrayal.
Moreover, the lack of transparency in settlement agreements and court approvals enabled Fleming to operate under a veil of legitimacy. The Satterfield family, grieving their loss, was left in the dark about the proceedings that directly impacted their financial well-being.
The Murdaugh Connection
Richard Alexander Murdaugh’s involvement adds a layer of complexity to this case. Murdaugh, already embroiled in multiple legal battles and allegations of financial impropriety, appears as a pivotal figure in the Satterfield saga. His connection to Fleming—both professionally and personally—raises questions about the extent of collusion in this scheme.
Furthermore, Patrick Wilson’s claim that Paul Murdaugh pushed Gloria Satterfield down the stairs introduces potential criminal liability into the case. If proven true, this would escalate the incident from a tragic accident to a deliberate act of harm, with profound implications for the Satterfield family’s pursuit of justice. Meaning this is no longer an accident that an insurance company would pay out a claim upon.
The Human Cost
Lost amidst the legal jargon and financial figures are Gloria Satterfield’s sons, the rightful beneficiaries of the settlement. They placed their trust in Fleming, believing he would act in their best interest. Instead, they were victims of a calculated betrayal, deprived of compensation that could have provided financial stability after their mother’s death.
The revelation of Paul Murdaugh’s alleged role in Gloria’s death adds another layer of trauma for the family. It underscores the devastating consequences of power and privilege used without accountability.
Broader Implications
The Satterfield case serves as a cautionary tale for the legal profession. It highlights the need for reform in how trust accounts are managed, the transparency of settlement agreements, and the ethical standards to which attorneys are held. This case also raises larger questions about the role of confidentiality in the justice system—should it protect private parties or shield wrongdoing?
Take the case of disbarred South Carolina attorney Candy Kern, 55, of Anderson, South Carolina, she pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in a nationwide structured cash flow scheme. This scheme, which operated from 2012 to 2021, exploited military veterans in financial distress and targeted elderly investors looking for safe retirement investments.
Kern’s role involved using her law firm to facilitate illegal assignments of veterans’ benefits. The scheme promised veterans lump-sum payments in exchange for their pension and disability benefits, which is illegal under federal law. The retirees were misled into believing these assignments were valid investments, ultimately resulting in significant financial losses.
Kern’s law firm managed and controlled the financial transactions, filed lawsuits against defaulting veterans, and facilitated the flow of approximately $14 million in illegally assigned benefits. The firm earned about $1.4 million, while retirees lost over $31 million. The scheme collapsed when many veterans could not repay or refused to continue payments upon realizing the illegality of the contracts.
In February 2024, Kern was sentenced to just five years of probation, with the first 500 days under home detention with GPS monitoring. Her sentence also included restitution of $1,442,401.56 to be paid to the victims.
Alex Murdaugh, on the other hand, was sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for pleading guilty to financial crimes, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering of nearly $15 million dollars. The same South Carolina federal court system gave Murdaugh 40 years in prison for stealing $25 million dollars less than Kern.
Conclusion
the summary judgment requested by Nautilus against Cory Fleming was denied this week. The court ruled that genuine disputes of material fact remain, particularly regarding Fleming’s potential knowledge and involvement in Richard Murdaugh’s alleged scheme to defraud Nautilus Insurance Company. The court found that whether Fleming acted with specific intent to facilitate the fraud is a question of fact for the jury to decide.
Cory Fleming’s alleged actions represent a gross violation of the trust placed in legal professionals. For the Satterfield family, justice remains elusive, obscured by legal maneuvering and ethical lapses. As the legal battles continue, this case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in the pursuit of justice. It calls for systemic changes to prevent such betrayals and ensure that those most vulnerable are not left behind.
As South Carolina grapples with the fallout from this scandal, the Satterfield case stands as a litmus test for the legal community’s commitment to integrity and justice. For Gloria Satterfield’s sons, and countless others who seek resolution through the legal system, it is a fight worth watching.
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