Clarence Thomas formally reveals trips with GOP donor as Supreme Court justices file new financial statements

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Clarence Thomas formally reveals trips with GOP donor as Supreme Court justices file new financial statements

Washington – Justice Clarence Thomas issued the order Two journeys He tied with Republican megadonor Harlan Crowe in 2019, according to his 2023 financial disclosure statement made public Friday.

The Report, filed by Thomas on May 15, included an amendment to his disclosure form for 2019 to list two trips he took with Crow in July of that year. First, for Polly, guest lists Thomas Harlan and Kathy Crowe. The judge informed that he would get food and accommodation in a hotel.

A second trip to Monte Rio, California over three days in July 2019 again lists Thomas as a guest of the Grove. He said he got food and lodging at a private club.

According to Thomas’ latest annual disclosure form, the information was “inadvertently omitted at the time of filing.” It notes that Judge “sought and received guidance from his accountant and ethics counsel” when preparing his report for 2023.

Financial disclosure statements for eight of the nine judges were made public on Friday. Justice Samuel Alito requested and received a 90-day extension to file his disclosure, according to the Administrative Office of the US Courts.

Financial Disclosures of Supreme Court Judges

Supreme Court Justices pose for an official portrait on Friday, October 7, 2022 in Washington, DC

Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images


Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received four concert tickets from singer Beyoncé, valued at $3,711. He also acquired artwork for his rooms valued at $10,000 and $2,500. Thomas’ statement says he received two photo albums valued at $2,000.

Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanagh did not receive any prizes last year, according to their reports.

Many judges received income from book royalties and other schemes. For example, Sotomayor received more than $86,000 in royalties from publisher Penguin Random House and less than $2,000 from a production company for an appearance on the animated PBS show “Alma’s Way.”

Jackson, meanwhile, received a book advance of more than $893,000 from Penguin Random House, which was paid by KayPac LLC, whose statement lists her as the “sole member.” Her husband started the company in 2022 Adjust the panel courtIt advocates for greater transparency in the Supreme Court.

Gorsuch reported $312 in royalties from Princeton University Press and $250,000 in royalty income from HarperCollins. Kavanagh revealed that he brought in $340,000 in book royalties from Javelin Group/Regnery Publishing.

Their reports show that Gorsuch, Kavanagh and Barrett earned teaching income in 2023.

Thomas is an honorary member of the board of directors for the Horatio Alger Association, and Sotomayor lists his position as executive director of iCivics, an organization started by the late Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to promote civics education in schools. Kavanagh coached the women’s basketball team, according to his disclosure statement.

The reports are submitted annually to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts and reflect the judge’s outside positions, income, reimbursements, gifts and investments for the previous calendar year. The financial disclosures have generated renewed interest after ProPublica published a report last year detailing Thomas’ travels. Adopted from Crow — including a private club in Bali and California — and real estate transactions between the two were not listed in Justice’s previous reports.

Thomas said last year did not believe He must disclose travel and pledge to comply with guidelines on personal hospitality issued last year by the Judicial Conference, the policymaking body for federal courts. of justice Report for 2022 Listed flights were taken by Thomas Crowe on his private plane, as well as staying at his property in the Adirondacks. Thomas also provided details of a 2014 Real Estate Transaction With Crow as revealed by ProPublica.

His report for 2023 does not include any reimbursement for accommodation, transportation, meals or entertainment.

Revelations about Thomas’ relationship with Crowe, a Texas real estate developer, sparked a political firestorm over ethics practices at the Supreme Court and calls for the nation’s highest court to adopt a binding protocol.

The Senate Judiciary Committee has launched an investigation into the matter Advanced Law The Supreme Court should adopt an enforceable code of conduct. Democratic Committee Authorized subpoenas Crowe and Leonard Leo, a conservative judicial activist. Leo was served with a subpoena in April, and he He refused to comply. A spokesman for Crowe said he had not received one.

The Supreme Court adopted a formal code of conduct in November, although it did not include a mechanism for enforcement.

The court’s unilateral action did little to prevent the jury from investigating. Controversy It exploded last month Two flags were displayed outside Alito’s homes in Virginia and New Jersey. The first, an upside-down American flag, was spotted outside Alito’s Virginia home in early January 2021. The second, an “Appeal to Heaven” flag, was displayed outside his New Jersey vacation home in the summer of 2023.

Alito Rejected calls Congressional Democrats from two cases involving former President Donald Trump said he was not involved in the footage. He said the flags were flown by his wife, Martha-Ann Alito, and neither knew their meanings. Both categories were carried by defiant mutineers The US Capitol building on January 6, 2021and associated with the “Stop the Steel” movement.

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