Clarence Thomas Faces Fresh Scrutiny Over Undisclosed Private Jet Flight

Justice Clarence Thomas took an undisclosed private jet flight provided by GOP megadonor Harlan Crow in 2010, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden revealed on Monday. This disclosure adds to the ongoing pressure on the Supreme Court to enhance its ethical practices, according to a recent report by CNN.

Travel and Ethics Concerns

Wyden stated that US Customs and Border Protection records showed Thomas and his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas, flew on Crow’s jet from Hawaii to New Zealand on November 19, 2010, returning a week later. These flights were not listed on Thomas’ financial disclosure reports, continuing a pattern of undisclosed luxury travel funded by Crow. This revelation follows previous reports by ProPublica last year, which documented other instances of Thomas accepting luxury travel from Crow, including trips on Crow’s yacht, Michaela Rose.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Wyden’s investigation is focused on the potential tax implications of Crow’s gifts to Thomas. “I am deeply concerned that Mr. Crow may have been showering a public official with extravagant gifts, then writing off those gifts to lower his tax bill,” Wyden wrote in a letter to Crow’s attorney.

A spokesman for Crow responded by stating that the billionaire’s legal team had already addressed Wyden’s inquiries, describing them as politically motivated. “It’s concerning that Senator Wyden is abusing his committee’s powers as part of a politically motivated campaign against the Supreme Court,” the spokesman said.

Thomas did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.

Push for Supreme Court Reforms

President Joe Biden has emphasized the need for significant Supreme Court reforms, including term limits and an enforceable code of conduct for justices. During a recent event marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Biden reiterated his call for these reforms, stressing their importance for maintaining judicial integrity.

Thomas has faced criticism for failing to report trips funded by Crow on his financial disclosures. In response to mounting criticism, the Supreme Court adopted a code of conduct last year. However, this code relies on the justices themselves for enforcement, a point of contention among Democrats and ethics experts.

Calls for Ethical Reform Intensify

The debate over Thomas’s ethical obligations and the influence of wealthy donors like Crow is part of a larger conversation about transparency and accountability within the nation’s highest court. As scrutiny intensifies, the push for structural reforms to ensure ethical compliance among Supreme Court justices remains a critical issue.