Title: Justice Clarence Thomas Discloses Jet Trips Funded by Republican Megadonor, Raises Ethics Questions
Subtitle: Supreme Court Justice faces scrutiny for failing to disclose luxury trips and real estate deals
Date: [Insert Date]
CNN—Justice Clarence Thomas has come under fire after disclosing that he accepted private jet trips funded by Republican megadonor Harlan Crow in 2022. The trips, which included a speech in Texas and a vacation at Crow’s lavish New York estate, have raised concerns about ethics within the Supreme Court.
In one instance, Thomas claimed he took a private jet in May due to an “increased security risk” following the leak of a Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. The disclosure forms also revealed that Thomas had inadvertently omitted information from past reports, including a real estate deal with Crow in 2014.
Thomas made the disclosures after receiving an extension to file the yearly reports, which were originally due in May 2023. Justice Samuel Alito also released his financial disclosures, further adding to the scrutiny surrounding the Supreme Court.
Critics argue that Thomas has skirted ethics laws by failing to disclose luxury trips, real estate transactions, and other gifts provided by wealthy friends. In response, Thomas’s lawyer released a statement denying any willful ethics violations and referring to the criticism as a “partisan feeding frenzy.”
The first report on Thomas’s friendship with Crow and their extensive travel history was published by ProPublica. Thomas acknowledged the friendship but emphasized that Crow had no business before the court. Thomas further stated that he did not disclose the trips at the time because he believed he was not required to do so. He acknowledged the recent rule change by the Judicial Conference and expressed his intention to follow the new guidance.
The newly released financial reports also shed light on other omissions by Thomas, such as a life insurance policy and a bank account. Moreover, a real estate deal involving Crow, Thomas, and Thomas’s family members in 2014 was not listed on his financial disclosure forms.
According to the disclosure, the private jet trips funded by Crow in 2022 were for Thomas to deliver a keynote speech at the Old Parkland Conference. The event was sponsored by the Hoover Institution, the Manhattan Institute, and the American Enterprise Institute. Thomas cited an unexpected ice storm and increased security risks following a leaked Supreme Court opinion as reasons for using private transportation.
Thomas’s attorney insists that the justice has always strived for transparency and adherence to the law. The disclosure reports are likely to fuel efforts by Senate Democrats to implement ethics and transparency reforms at the Supreme Court, including a code of ethics specifically for the justices.
Although the justices have discussed possible reforms, they have not yet reached a consensus on whether to adopt a formal code. Public approval ratings of the court have remained at historic lows, further contributing to calls for increased transparency and accountability.
Gabe Roth, the head of advocacy organization Fix the Court, criticized Thomas’s disclosures, stating that they do not fully reflect the extent of lavish gifts he has received over the years. Roth called for Thomas to amend earlier disclosures to ensure full compliance with the law.
Justice Alito also released his financial disclosure forms, confirming CNN’s earlier report that a trip he took to Rome in 2022 was funded by a conservative group. The forms also revealed that Alito was paid to teach courses at law schools, including Regent University School of Law and Duke Law School.
As the Supreme Court faces mounting criticism over ethics and transparency, the calls for reform from Senate Democrats and advocacy groups are likely to intensify.
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