The Banker Behind Murdaugh: Russell Laffitte Sentenced for Fraud & Conspiracy

The Banker Behind Murdaugh: Russell Laffitte Sentenced for Fraud
& Conspiracy

Russell Laffitte was once the golden boy of South Carolina
banking—CEO of Palmetto State Bank, “Independent Banker of the
Year,” heir to a century-old family dynasty. Now, he’s headed to
federal prison.

In this episode of Hidden Killers, host Tony Brueski takes you
inside the courtroom and beyond, unpacking the full story behind
Laffitte’s five-year federal sentence for bank fraud, conspiracy,
and wire fraud—all committed to prop up none other than convicted
killer Alex Murdaugh.

This isn’t just about dirty money—it’s about the quiet power that
makes crimes like Murdaugh’s possible. Laffitte didn’t pull the
trigger. But he moved the money. He signed the loans. He drained
trust accounts meant for injured clients and grieving families.
And for years, he helped Alex Murdaugh steal from the people who
needed protection most.

We break down how the scheme worked, who got hurt, and why
Laffitte finally pleaded guilty—despite originally fighting the
charges. We also explore what his downfall says about the toxic
loyalty, unchecked privilege, and small-town dynasties that
enabled Murdaugh to wreak havoc for over a decade.

Was Laffitte a victim of charm and pressure—or was he always this
willing to betray the public trust? And how many more accomplices
are still hiding in plain sight?

With new details from federal documents, court transcripts, and
expert analysis, this is the story of what happens when the
people who are supposed to protect the system… become part of the
rot.

Subscribe for more deep dives into the Murdaugh web of
deception—and the enablers who kept it spinning.

Hashtags

#Murdaugh #RussellLaffitte #TrueCrimePodcast #BankFraud
#AlexMurdaugh #PalmettoStateBank #HamptonSC #CrimeNews
#HiddenKillers #FinancialCrime

Want to comment and watch this podcast as a
video?
Check out our YouTube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/

Tik-Tok
https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod

X Twitter
https://x.com/tonybpod

Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872