Justice Clarence Thomas is under fire for accepting a previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand in 2010, courtesy of GOP megadonor Harlan Crow. This revelation has intensified calls for stronger ethics practices within the Supreme Court.

Key Takeaways

• Justice Clarence Thomas accepted a private jet flight to New Zealand in 2010, which was not disclosed in his financial reports.
• The flight was provided by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow.
• Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden revealed the information based on US Customs and Border Protection records.
• The incident has reignited debates over the Supreme Court’s ethics and disclosure practices.

Details of the Undisclosed Flight

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden disclosed that Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, flew from Hawaii to New Zealand on November 19, 2010, on a private jet owned by Harlan Crow. They returned a week later on the same jet. This flight was not listed on Thomas’ financial disclosure reports.

Previous Controversies

This is not the first time Justice Thomas has faced scrutiny over his relationship with Harlan Crow. Previous reports have documented Thomas accepting luxury travel on Crow’s yacht, the Michaela Rose. These revelations have led to widespread calls for ethics reform within the Supreme Court.

Senate Finance Committee’s Concerns

Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, is particularly concerned about the potential tax implications of the gifts Crow made to Thomas. Wyden suspects that Crow may have been using these extravagant gifts to lower his tax bill. He has written a letter to Crow’s attorney seeking more information.

Responses and Reactions

A spokesman for Harlan Crow stated that the billionaire’s lawyers have already addressed Senator Wyden’s inquiries, dismissing them as politically motivated. Justice Thomas has not responded to requests for comment.

Calls for Reform

President Joe Biden has proposed structural changes to the Supreme Court, including term limits for justices and an enforceable code of conduct. White House spokesperson Andrew Bates stated that this latest revelation strengthens the case for such reforms.

Ethics and Disclosure Rules

Justice Thomas has been criticized for not including such trips in his financial disclosure forms. He and his defenders argue that he followed the court’s disclosure rules as they were understood at the time. Last year, the federal judiciary’s policy-making body updated its guidelines to require justices to report travel on private planes, closing a loophole that Thomas had previously relied on.

Recent Changes and Future Steps

In June, Thomas revised his disclosure form to include a 2019 trip to Indonesia paid for by Crow. This trip was at the center of the controversy over his travel. In response to ongoing criticism, the Supreme Court adopted a code of conduct last year, but it relies on the justices themselves to police their ethics, a point that has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and ethics experts.

Sources

• Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says | CNN Politics, CNN.
• Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says | <span class="tnt-section-tag no-link">News</span> | WPSD Local 6, WPSD Local 6.
• Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says – Erie News Now | WICU and WSEE in Erie, PA, Erie News Now.
• Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says | Regional/National Headlines | local3news.com, Local 3 News.
• Justice Thomas accepted previously undisclosed private jet flight to New Zealand, Senate Democrat says, AOL.com.