Justice Thomas Says He Was Advised Lavish Gifts Didn t Need to Be Reported – The New York Times

WASHINGTON Justice Clarence Thomas said on Friday that he had followed the advice of colleagues and others in the judiciary when he did not disclose lavish gifts and travel from a wealthy conservative donor.

In a statement released by the Supreme Court, the justice said that he had followed guidance from others at the court and that he believed he was not required to report the trips.

Early in my tenure at the court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the court, was not reportable, Justice Thomas said. I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines.

ProPublica revealed on Thursday that the justice had traveled by private jet and yacht at the invitation of Harlan Crow, a real estate billionaire. The vacations, which took place over nearly two decades, included trips to Indonesia and to Bohemian Grove, an exclusive retreat nestled in the redwoods in Northern California.

Justice Thomas said in his statement that he would comply with new guidelines adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, the policymaking body for the federal courts. The rules, adopted last month, require the justices to disclose travel by private jet and stays in commercial properties like resorts.

via www.nytimes.com

Justice Thomas will just have to put up with this latest attempt to smear him. This is the sort of thing that Judges have to avoid, taking expensive gifts from rich people, even if they are friends and even if those friends have no business before the court. My father, a humble state court trial judge, always avoided even the appearance of this sort of impropriety, much to my mother’s disappointment. He got scarcely any credit for doing so, but then he didn’t expect any. I’m sure a reporter who chose to look at liberal justices would find equally sketchy perquisites. But there’s nothing to be done about it now, except stand his ground.