Judge Clarence Thomas recognized that Republican billionaire too late Harlan Crow paid for Thomas’s accommodations during 2019 trips to Bali and Sonoma County — a revelation that comes amid unprecedented scrutiny from the Supreme Court and the wealthy benefactors close to the justices.
The recognition of Crow’s generosity was included in an annual financial disclosure report filed by Thomas and made public Friday. The financial reports of eight of the nine judges were also released on Friday. Judge Samuel Alito was given a 90-day extension to file his report, just like last year.
Three judges reported receiving six-figure sums last year from book deals or royalties. Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson said Beyonce gave her four concert tickets worth about $3,700.
According to Thomas’ newly released report, Crow and his wife provided food and a day of hotel accommodations during Thomas’ trip to Indonesia in July 2019, and Crow also footed the bill for a four-day stay at the judge’s office for a few days. later at a private club in Monte Rio, California, home of the Bohemian Grove, an all-male retreat.
Thomas has been criticized for accepting lavish trips from Crow, a Texas real estate magnate and Republican megadonor, without disclosing them. Thomas has called Crow a close and long-time personal friend.
Thomas’ new filing explained that he “sought and received guidance from his accountant and ethics advisor” as part of a “review of prior filings that began last year.” The Crows’ gifts were “inadvertently omitted at the time of filing,” Thomas said on the new form, which mainly covers the 2023 calendar year.
Thomas’ trip to Indonesia with the Crows in 2019 — part of it spent aboard a private yacht — was first reported last year by ProPublica, which noted it was not included in the judge’s disclosure form for that year.
Thomas later said he was advised by ethics officials that “personal hospitality” from friends did not need to be reported. However, the new filing appears to be a concession that, whatever ambiguity may have existed around travel on private jets or yachts, gifts of stays at hotels or clubs owned by third parties should be disclosed long ago.
Over the past two years, the court’s ethical practices have been the subject of intense scrutiny and criticism, as journalists, legal reform advocates and legal ethics experts have increasingly questioned the judges’ financial and personal ties, as well as with political and business interests. and personal activities of some of the judges’ spouses. Senate Democrats have subjected the Supreme Court to scathing criticism, with many suggesting that ethical lapses show that Republican-appointed justices are under the sway of conservative activists.
Amid the storm, the Supreme Court last November took the unprecedented step of adopting a formal code of ethics, though it lacks an enforcement mechanism and is in some ways weaker than the vaguer ethical principles previously endorsed by the justices.
Alito, like Thomas, has faced particular criticism. He flew on a private jet and vacationed to Alaska with a hedge fund billionaire with court interests, ProPublica reported, and two controversial flag displays related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol flew to his homes, the New York. Times reported. A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which processes financial disclosure forms, confirmed that Alito had been granted an extension to file his report but did not provide a reason for the delay.
Several judges reported last year that they had cashed in book deals. Jackson reported nearly $900,000 in advances paid through a limited liability company. Judge Brett Kavanaugh earned $340,000 in book royalties in 2023, and Judge Neil Gorsuch reported $250,000 in royalty income, according to the documents. Judge Sonia Sotomayor saw about $87,000 in book royalties and was paid about $1,900 for her voice performance on the PBS Kids animated show Alma’s Way.
In addition to receiving the four tickets from musician Beyonce Knowles-Carter, Jackson also received artwork for her rooms worth a total of $12,500.
Thomas reported that his wife, Ginni Thomas, again received an undisclosed salary and benefits from Liberty Consulting, a consulting firm she founded in connection with work she did for several conservative organizations. Government officials are not required to disclose their spouses’ salaries, but Thomas estimates in his form the value of his wife’s business at between $15,000 and $50,000.
The Thomases also received two photo albums worth $2,000 from Terrence and Barbara Giroux. Terrence Giroux appears to be the former executive director of the Horatio Alger Association, a nonprofit whose board of directors considers Thomas an honorary member, according to Thomas’ filing.
Chief Justice John Roberts reported some rental income from a cottage in Maine and part of a cottage in Ireland. In addition, his wife, Jane Sullivan Roberts, received a base salary and “commission” from the law firm she works for. After POLITICO and other media outlets reported on Jane Sullivan Roberts’ work, the chief justice began reporting in his disclosures that some of her income comes from commissions.
