Justice Clarence Thomas Accused of Ethics Violations Following Report

In late June 2019, right after the U.S. Supreme Court released its final opinion of the term, Justice Clarence Thomas boarded a large private jet headed to Indonesia. He and his wife were going on vacation: nine days of island-hopping in a volcanic archipelago on a superyacht staffed by a coterie of attendants and a private chef.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has issued a ruling in his own favor – allowing himself make use of luxury jets, a mega-yacht, and stunning retreats all owned by the same real estate magnate.

The powerful Justice, who has found new sway on the 6-3 conservative court, has accepted the 'hospitality' of real estate billionaire Harlan Crow for 20 years, enjoying luxurious vacations and transport that he would not be able to afford on his $285,000 per year salary.

Democrats are voicing outrage following a report that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas accepted luxury trips for more than two decades from a Republican mega-donor without disclosing them.

ProPublica reported on Thursday that Harlan Crow, a Dallas-based real estate developer who has donated millions to conservative causes, paid for Thomas to join various vacations, including trips on Harlan’s private jet and 162-foot yacht.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said his committee “will act” following the report.