Justice Clarence Thomas is under fire for accepting a previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand in 2010, courtesy of GOP megadonor Harlan Crow. This revelation has intensified calls for stronger ethics practices within the Supreme Court.
Key Takeaways
Justice Clarence Thomas took an undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand in 2010.
The flight was provided by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow.
The trip was not listed on Thomas' financial disclosure reports.
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden is investigating the potential tax implications of Crow's gifts to Thomas.
The incident has reignited calls for ethics reform within the Supreme Court.
Details of the Undisclosed Flight
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection records show Justice Thomas and his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, flew from Hawaii to New Zealand on Crow’s private jet on November 19, 2010, and returned a week later. This trip was not included in Thomas' financial disclosure reports.
Previous Instances of Undisclosed Travel
This is not the first time Justice Thomas has faced scrutiny for accepting luxury travel from Crow. Previous reports by ProPublica documented Thomas' travel on Crow’s yacht, the Michaela Rose, which also went unreported. These revelations have led to widespread calls for ethics reform within the Supreme Court.
Senate Investigation
Senator Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is particularly concerned about the potential tax implications of Crow's gifts to Thomas. Wyden stated, “I am deeply concerned that Mr. Crow may have been showering a public official with extravagant gifts, then writing off those gifts to lower his tax bill.”
Response from Harlan Crow
A spokesman for Crow stated that the billionaire’s lawyers had already addressed Senator Wyden’s inquiries, which they claim have no legal basis and are intended to harass a private citizen. The spokesman also accused Senator Wyden of abusing his committee’s powers for a politically motivated campaign against the Supreme Court.
White House Reaction
President Joe Biden has made structural changes at the Supreme Court a key issue during his presidency. In light of the recent revelations, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates said, “The most powerful court in the United States shouldn’t be subject to the lowest ethical standards, and conflicts of interest on the Supreme Court cannot go unchecked.”
Justice Thomas' Defense
Justice Thomas has defended his actions by stating that he followed the court’s disclosure rules as they were understood at the time. He has previously said that he was advised he was not required to disclose the hospitality he received from Crow. However, Thomas has since revised his disclosure forms to include a 2019 trip to Indonesia paid for by Crow.
Calls for Ethics Reform
In response to the ongoing criticism, the Supreme Court adopted a code of conduct last year for the first time in its history. However, the document relies on the justices themselves to police their ethics, a system that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and ethics experts alike.
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