Senator Raises Concerns Over Justice Thomas’s Travel Disclosures
Justice Clarence Thomas has come under scrutiny for allegedly failing to publicly disclose significant private travel arrangements funded by the affluent conservative benefactor Harlan Crow. This revelation was highlighted in a letter sent by Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, on Monday.
According to records from Customs and Border Protection, Justice Thomas and his wife, Virginia Thomas, made a round trip between Hawaii and New Zealand in November 2010 on Mr. Crow’s private jet. Senator Wyden, in his correspondence, has called for further transparency regarding the financial ties between the justice and Mr. Crow.
This inquiry is part of a broader investigation initiated by Senator Wyden, who serves as the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, focusing on the relationship between the justice and Mr. Crow, a prominent real estate magnate. The timing of this letter coincides with increasing calls from leading Democrats for substantial reforms within the Supreme Court, including the establishment of an enforceable code of conduct for justices.
In his letter, Senator Wyden expressed heightened concern over the nature of the interactions between Justice Thomas and Mr. Crow. He stated, “I am deeply troubled that Mr. Crow may have been showering a public official with extravagant gifts, then writing off those gifts to lower his tax obligations.”
Read the Letter to Harlan Crow
Senator Ron Wyden has formally requested details from Harlan Crow regarding his private travel arrangements with Justice Clarence Thomas.
Read Document
As of Monday, Justice Thomas had not responded to requests for comments on the matter. A spokesperson for Mr. Crow, Michael Zona, remarked that Crow’s legal team had already addressed Senator Wyden’s inquiries, labeling them as lacking legal merit and as an effort to harass a private individual. Zona further accused Senator Wyden of pursuing a politically motivated agenda aimed at undermining the integrity of the Supreme Court.
