In June 2019, after the U.S. Supreme Court’s term ended, Justice Clarence Thomas embarked on a luxurious vacation to Indonesia. He traveled via a private jet and stayed on a superyacht, experiencing nine days of island-hopping. The estimated cost of the trip was over $500,000, a sum Thomas avoided paying thanks to real estate mogul and Republican donor Harlan Crow, who owned both the jet and yacht.
For over 20 years, Thomas has enjoyed annual luxury trips provided by Crow without disclosing them, as documents and interviews reveal. Despite his public salary of $285,000, Thomas frequently vacations on Crow’s yacht and employs his private jet. The extent of Crow’s apparent generosity towards Thomas is unprecedented in recent Supreme Court history. None of these trips appear on Thomas’ financial disclosures, potentially violating a law requiring federal officials to report gifts, according to ethics experts.
Crow acknowledged extending hospitality to Thomas, describing it as similar to friendships with others. Yet, ethics experts argue this access could influence one of the nation’s most powerful persons. Nancy Gertner, a retired judge, finds the situation troubling. Virginia Canter, a former ethics lawyer, warns it erodes public trust, a sentiment echoed by watchdog group CREW.
When a justice’s lifestyle is being subsidized by the rich and famous, it absolutely corrodes public trust.– Virginia Canter
ProPublica gathered detailed information about Thomas’ travels through flight data, internal documents, and numerous interviews. Federal judges are expected to maintain high ethical standards. Unlike other branches, the Supreme Court largely governs its conduct. A guideline code is advisory for justices, unlike stricter rules for Congress members.
Thomas’ ethics have been publicly scrutinized before, notably involving cases touching his wife’s political activities. The New York Times and Politico have documented Crow’s financial support to ventures connected to Thomas and his wife, including political contributions. While Crow claims no intent to influence justice, his deep political connections and contributions to conservative causes raise questions.
At Crow’s private Adirondacks resort, Camp Topridge, Thomas socializes with influential figures, including executives and political activists. An artist commissioned by Crow painted a scene depicting Thomas with federalist leaders, showcasing their close association.
The resort offers extravagant facilities, and Thomas has stayed there with Crow for over two decades. ProPublica revealed instances when Thomas traveled on Crow’s yacht, with lavish amenities, without disclosure. Despite friendship claims, Crow’s unreported gifts to Thomas could breach judicial ethics laws.
Thomas admits preferring the simplicity of ordinary American experiences, yet his public persona contrasts with the luxurious hospitality he accepts from Crow. This lavish lifestyle, hidden from public disclosures, could require scrutiny under judicial ethics laws.
I prefer the RV parks. I prefer the Walmart parking lots to the beaches and things like that. There’s something normal to me about it.– Clarence Thomas
The relationship between Crow and Thomas remains controversial. Crow’s vast contributions to judiciary-influencing causes and personal gifts have not been fully disclosed by Thomas. Crow insists on the innocence of his intentions, yet doubts linger regarding justice impartiality due to perceived special privileges.
As a significant conservative donor with interests cultivating judicial shifts, Crow’s connections raise concerns about potential influences on Thomas’ judicial stance. Observers emphasize transparency and disclosure to maintain trust in judiciary integrity, highlighting discrepancies between Thomas’ private actions and public position as a Supreme Court Justice.