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Supreme Court Justice Thomas Avoids Ethics Probe
Allegations that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas may have violated ethics laws will not be referred to the Justice Department, the federal judiciary’s governing body announced.
Justice Thomas has agreed to adhere to revised reporting requirements for trips and gifts, including more stringent rules for hospitality from friends. This comes after Democratic senators raised concerns about undisclosed luxury trips he took with Republican donor Harlan Crow.
Thomas previously claimed he was not obligated to disclose these trips because Crow was a close friend. The court declined to comment.
The Supreme Court implemented its first code of ethics in 2023, but it lacks enforcement mechanisms.
It is unclear if the Judicial Conference has the authority to refer Supreme Court justices for criminal investigation. However, a referral is not deemed necessary since two senators have requested that Attorney General Garland appoint a special counsel.
The Fix the Court organization argues that the financial disclosure law should apply to justices. They believe Congress should establish a transparent system to investigate ethics violations, as the Judicial Conference has declined to do so.
Additionally, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has amended her disclosures after a complaint was filed regarding the source of her husband’s consulting income. She also agreed to the updated reporting requirements.