Supreme Court justices have collectively received nearly $5 million in gifts since the early 2000s, with Justice Clarence Thomas being the primary beneficiary. This revelation comes from data released by the watchdog group Fix the Court, ahead of the justices' financial disclosure reports expected on Friday.

 

According to Fix the Court, Justice Thomas has accepted gifts totaling $4,042,286 since 2004, accounting for 193 gifts. The group also reported an additional 126 "likely but not confirmed gifts" for Thomas, highlighting the extensive nature of his acceptance of gifts. Despite this, Thomas reported only 27 of these gifts on his financial disclosures.

 

The data encompasses current and former justices dating back to 2004, tallying their total gift amounts to approximately $4.7 million. This includes Thomas’s significant portion, which makes up almost the entire sum.

Fix the Court’s Gabe Roth emphasized the ethical implications of such gift acceptance. "Supreme Court justices should not be accepting gifts, let alone the hundreds of freebies worth millions of dollars they’ve received over the years," Roth said. He argued that public servants, who earn significantly more than the median local salary and can make substantial income from writing books, should be able to afford their own vacations, vehicles, hunting excursions, and club memberships without relying on gifts from wealthy benefactors.

 

Roth also pointed out the potential influence of gift-givers, stating, "The ethics crisis at the court won’t begin to abate until justices adopt stricter gift acceptance rules." The watchdog group's data might even underestimate the true extent of the gifts, as some could not be verified, such as a hunting lodge stay by Justice Antonin Scalia. Scalia, along with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and William Rehnquist, passed away while in office, which could mean their reported gift totals are undercounts.

 

Scalia received the second-highest total in gifts, amounting to $210,164 from January 2004 until his death in 2016. Justice Samuel Alito, who recently faced calls to recuse himself from cases related to January 6 and former President Trump due to reports of a "Stop the Steal" flag flown outside his house, received the third-most gifts, totaling $170,095 from January 31, 2006, to the present.

 

The disclosure of these gifts highlights the need for greater transparency and stricter ethical guidelines for Supreme Court justices, especially given their significant influence on American law and society. As the public and lawmakers continue to scrutinize the ethical standards of the court, the pressure mounts for reforms that ensure justices remain impartial and free from undue influence.

 

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has recently amended his financial disclosure forms to include previously unreported trips paid for by billionaire Harlan Crow. These amendments reflect trips taken in 2019 to an Indonesian island and an exclusive, secretive club in Northern California. This update follows increased scrutiny and criticism of the ethical standards and financial transparency of the Supreme Court justices.

 

The amended disclosure, made public on Friday, reveals two significant trips from 2019. The first trip, funded by Crow and his wife Cathy, was to Bali, Indonesia. During this trip, Thomas and his wife Ginni spent over a week island-hopping on Crow's superyacht, a journey estimated by ProPublica to exceed $500,000 if the Thomases had covered the expenses themselves. The second trip was to Monte Rio, California, where Thomas stayed at a private club. This location is likely the Bohemian Grove, a highly exclusive, all-male retreat that both Thomas and Crow have reportedly attended.

 

These amendments come after ProPublica initially exposed these trips, marking the first time Justice Thomas has included them in his financial disclosures. His updated filing states that the trips were "inadvertently omitted" from the original disclosure and were corrected following guidance from his accountant and ethics counsel. The latest financial disclosures of the Supreme Court justices provide a rare glimpse into their activities outside the courtroom. These annual reports have garnered heightened interest, particularly regarding the justices' connections with wealthy donors. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, for example, reported receiving four concert tickets valued at about $3,700 from Beyoncé and $10,000 worth of artwork for her chambers from Alabama artist and musician Lonnie Holley.

 

Books continue to be a significant source of outside income for the justices. Justice Jackson reported an advance of $893,750 for her upcoming memoir. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch received a $250,000 book advance, while Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh disclosed a $340,000 advance for his legal memoir. Justice Sonia Sotomayor earned about $87,000 in royalties for her books and reported $1,900 for voicing a character on an animated children's show. Justice Thomas's financial activities have drawn particular scrutiny due to his acceptance of lavish gifts and travel from affluent friends. The 2019 trips, now included in his financial disclosure, reflect this pattern. The Indonesian trip, as reported by ProPublica, involved luxury accommodations and travel aboard a private jet and superyacht provided by Crow.

 

In his latest disclosure, Thomas did not report any gifts or private jet travel for 2023, except for a pair of photo albums valued at $2,000 from Terrence and Barbara Giroux. Mr. Giroux is the departing executive director of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, an exclusive group in which Thomas is a member. Thomas has allowed the association significant access to the Supreme Court, including presiding over an annual ceremony and mentoring scholarship recipients.

 

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. was granted an extension for his financial disclosure this year, consistent with his typical practice. Over the past decade, Alito has frequently delayed filing his disclosures. Last year, both Thomas and Alito requested and received extensions, with Thomas including an unusual addendum defending his acceptance of gifts from Crow. This statement sought to justify his decision to fly on private jets, citing advice to avoid commercial travel following the leak of the draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. However, he did not list any private plane travel for 2023.

 

In response to mounting pressure and intense public scrutiny, the Supreme Court adopted its first ethics code in November. This nine-page code, while not binding in the same way as codes for lower federal courts, advises justices to avoid activities that could detract from the dignity of their position, interfere with their duties, or reflect adversely on their impartiality. However, the absence of specific restrictions on gifts, travel, or real estate deals and the lack of an enforcement mechanism have drawn criticism.

 

Justice Thomas's updated financial disclosure underscores the ongoing debate over the ethical standards and transparency of the Supreme Court justices. The revelations about his trips funded by Crow highlight the intricate ties between justices and wealthy benefactors, raising questions about potential influences on their judicial decisions.

 

Credit: New York Times 2024-06-10

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

 

Obviously the guy is compromised he should resign in disgrace but he won’t he will hope the maggnuts win come November so he can help expedite the destruction oh American democracy.he needs to go!

Someone recently remarked words to the effect that , a person who doesn't understand the meaning of a disclosure form has no business interpreting the Constitution of the United States.

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

Edited June 10, 20242 yr by riclag

1 minute ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

When will some people learn that contrary-to-fact arguments without very strong evidence to back them up are worthless?

7 minutes ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

So Justice on the SCOTUS in receipt of 193 ‘gifts’ to a total value of over $4million, and only 27 of those ‘gifts’ recorded in financial disclosure.

 

And you can’t see a problem?

10 minutes ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

 funded in part by a liberal umbrella group!

 

https://en.wikialpha.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

9 minutes ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

I think this more like what can happen under Trump's government. Judges on the take, disregards for law and order, kangaroo courts for political enemies. Trump will make banana republic great again. 

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So Justice on the SCOTUS in receipt of 193 ‘gifts’ to a total value of over $4million, and only 27 of those ‘gifts’ recorded in financial disclosure.

 

And you can’t see a problem?

Over the stretch of time mentioned in the article, Thomas earned 4.6 million in salary and received 4 million in gifts.

18 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Over the stretch of time mentioned in the article, Thomas earned 4.6 million in salary and received 4 million in gifts.

He is confirmed to have received 4 million in gifts, there are indications of much more.

 

Regardless, his financial disclosure is way short of what it should be.

 

He’s bent!

While I agree that justices should not be forced to give up friendships, it does seem odd that people want to rain gifts on them that are not considered suspicious.

The Supreme Court of America has been compromised tremendously these judges who receive gifts and presents. Should all resign. Their interest is not in the justice system. Their only word about themselves kind of reminds me of Trump. He’s only worried about himself. That’s why he was running for president otherwise if he was any person other than him, he’d be in jail already. 

And he is wearing a Rolex.  This crook belongs in jail.

SCOTUS has lost all credibility. Another factor in the degradation of American democracy that will be dealt a final blow if the convicted felon comes back to power.

2 hours ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

So, by your logic this is not a crime or even a cause for concern, because it was investigated and disclosed by an opposing political organization?

Because a right wing Supreme Court Judge has received presents that effectively double his salary from other right wing groups this is not a cause for concern for everybody.

Impressive defence of the indefensible !

4 hours ago, riclag said:

 funded in part by a liberal umbrella group!

 

https://en.wikialpha.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

And if I criticize corruption, it also would be accurate to point out my being left of center. But then, that would have nothing to do with the validity of the criticism.  

12 hours ago, Social Media said:

with Justice Clarence Thomas being the primary beneficiary

Well, good for him.  So...

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

Every..Accusation..Is..A  Confession

And if you're a democ rat you can replace confession with projection.

Every year it becomes more evident The USA is run by the two parties, not rule of law.

You could call Trump the "middle finger" of US politics as he has in the past pissed off both sides. So now he has taken the Republican party under his wing and is forcing the party's sycophants to get down on their knees and swear loyalty .

Not until people can pull away from this duopoly, will there be even a kernel of hope for the future of US democracy.

How about the Democrats? There are many videos one could view to recall how the Dems used legacy media outlets with their panels of "experts" to state the Hunter Biden affair was Russian disinformation. Now an FBI  agent has testified under oath at the Hunter Biden trial about the laptop's authenticity. Could it have been the Dems were covering up a scandal before the 2020 election?  The SCOTUS debacle is just one more manifestation of the duopoly wrestling for power.

all ours get are Durian and the occasional 2mil baht in the wrong lunch bag!

2 hours ago, AgMech Cowboy said:

democ rat

Wow, clever word play, really impressive! But you do know this says a lot more about you than the people you’re trying insult, right?

On 6/7/2024 at 6:37 PM, stoner said:

 

just because i say i hope someone wins does not mean i support them. typical assumptions and conclusions by your kind. 

 

9 minutes ago, rudi49jr said:

Wow, clever word play, really impressive! But you do know this says a lot more about you than the people you’re trying insult, right?

That's the way they roll, like little kids on the block thinking they're Al Capone.

Edited June 10, 20242 yr by bubblegum

7 hours ago, riclag said:

 funded in part by a liberal umbrella group!

 

https://en.wikialpha.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

Yes. However, they are not members of the Supreme Court! 😃

Edited June 10, 20242 yr by candide

9 hours ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

So you are ok with a member of the Supreme Court accepting gifts from political donors?  Real? Good gosh. Bizarre

9 hours ago, riclag said:

 funded in part by a liberal umbrella group!

 

https://en.wikialpha.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

You say Biden has weaponized the judicial system. But can't see the relevance here. Drank the kool-aid big time

He is bought

55 minutes ago, Roo Island said:

You say Biden has weaponized the judicial system. But can't see the relevance here. Drank the kool-aid big time

There is no reasoning with fools.

Some troll posts have been removed.

 

Posts using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names will be removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate.

what a crook. is he the only 1... and what about the others ? how many of them are pigs. it does say justices (plural) at the start so i am assuming there is more than just him. 

 

the others are probably not as greedy or just haven't been found out yet. 

11 hours ago, riclag said:

More attacks by the Soviet style ,

advocacy group.

 

You think if the dems had a 6/3 majority this would be acceptable, methinks not.

Dems, legacy media ,and their  activist groups pretending to be fair are ruthless.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_the_Court

Yea, what's to worry when a Supreme Court Justice accepts $4 million in gifts?

 

Frankly, I have to wonder about the morality, or lack thereof, of anyone who doesn't get the potential harm or conflict of interest. One also has to question the intellect of anyone who doesn't get it.