Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has disclosed receiving lavish gifts and trips from Harlan Crow, a major Republican donor, in a recent financial report. The conservative justice, appointed by former President George H.W. Bush in 1991, amended his previous filings to include details about two paid vacations in 2019.
Details of the Disclosed Trips
The financial disclosure, reviewed by Newsweek on June 7, 2024, reveals that Justice Thomas and his wife enjoyed trips to Bali, Indonesia, on July 12, 2019, and Monte Rio, California, from July 18-21, 2019. These vacations, funded by Crow and his wife, included expenses for travel, lodging, and access to private clubs.
Thomas’s report states, “During the preparation and filing of this report, filer sought and received guidance from his accountant and ethics counsel.” This statement underscores the detailed process undertaken to ensure compliance with disclosure regulations.
Long-Standing Relationship and Continuous Gifts
For over two decades, Thomas and his wife, Ginni, have been recipients of Crow’s generosity, which has included trips on his private jet and yacht, and stays at exclusive retreats like the Bohemian Grove in California and a private resort in the Adirondacks. Thomas emphasized the personal nature of these gifts, noting, “Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years.”
Initially, Thomas followed advice suggesting that hospitality from close friends who did not have cases before the Court did not require disclosure. However, recent updates to the guidelines by the Judicial Conference have prompted him to revise his reporting practices.
Calls for a Supreme Court Code of Ethics
The revelations have intensified calls for the Supreme Court to establish a formal code of ethics. In response, a petition urging the Court to create clear and enforceable guidelines gained traction. Consequently, in November 2023, the Supreme Court introduced a new code of conduct to promote transparency and accountability.
In a statement, the Court acknowledged the need for clarity: “The absence of a Code, however, has led in recent years to the misunderstanding that the Justices of this Court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules. To dispel this misunderstanding, we are issuing this Code, which largely represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct.”
The new code aims to reinforce ethical standards and ensure public trust in the judiciary by outlining clear principles for justices to follow.
