Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s Financial Disclosure Form Reveals Trips Paid for by Billionaire

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s Financial Disclosure Reveals Trips Paid for by Billionaire

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made headlines on Friday when his latest financial disclosure form revealed two trips paid for by billionaire Harlan Crow. The trips, which were taken in 2019, were initially omitted from Thomas’s filings but were later reported after receiving guidance from his accountant and ethics counsel.

The first trip, which took place in Bali, Indonesia, was reimbursed by Crow and his wife, Cathy. Thomas indicated that he was a guest of the couple and was reimbursed for food and lodging at a luxurious hotel. The second trip, which occurred in Monte Rio, Calif., was also hosted by Crow and included food and lodging at a private club.

The cost of the Indonesia trip, which involved nine days of island-hopping on a superyacht with a private chef, was estimated to exceed $500,000 for Thomas and his wife, Ginni. However, Crow covered the bill for the lavish vacation.

This is not the first time Thomas has reported trips paid for by Crow. Last year, similar trips came to light, prompting the justice to update his financial disclosures. The increased scrutiny on the justices’ financial disclosures comes as they face criticism for their ethical standards.

Justice Samuel Alito was the only justice who requested a 90-day extension for filing his financial disclosure form. The disclosures of all other justices were made public on Friday, shedding light on their financial ties and potential conflicts of interest.

As the public continues to scrutinize the financial dealings of Supreme Court justices, the ethical standards of the highest court in the land remain a topic of debate and discussion.