Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Ethics Criticisms
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas acknowledges previously unreported trips overseas, paid for by a friend, conservative businessman Harlan Crow. Thomas released amended financial disclosure forms to include the trips. Critics slam recent ProPublica article on Justice Thomas. Thomas defends the trips, stating they were personal hospitality from close friends. The Supreme Court issued a new 'Code of Conduct' in response to heightened scrutiny over travel arrangements for private trips taken by justices.
Key Points
- Thomas acknowledged previously unreported trips paid for by Harlan Crow.
- Amended financial disclosure forms were released to rectify the oversight.
- Critics have slammed the coverage of Justice Thomas by ProPublica.
- The Supreme Court issued a new 'Code of Conduct' in response to the scrutiny over travel arrangements and other issues.
Pros
- Justice Thomas acknowledged and rectified the oversight by releasing amended financial disclosure forms.
- Thomas defended the trips as personal hospitality from close friends, not reportable according to previous guidance.
- The Supreme Court issued a new 'Code of Conduct' in response to scrutiny over travel arrangements for private trips taken by justices.
Cons
- Critics have raised concerns about the ethics of Justice Thomas accepting trips paid for by a friend.
- The issue has led to heightened scrutiny and calls for new ethics laws for the high court.