Washington, D.C. – Justice Clarence Thomas has disclosed more travel expenses paid by Republican donor Harlan Crow, while other Supreme Court justices reported significant earnings from book deals. In his annual financial disclosure, Thomas revealed that Crow paid for a hotel room in Bali, Indonesia, and lodging at a private club in California in 2019. This acknowledgment comes after years of criticism for failing to report trips funded by Crow and other donors.
Thomas’ disclosure raised questions about the incomplete details of his trip to Indonesia, which reportedly included a flight on Crow’s private jet and a tour on his superyacht. Meanwhile, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reported nearly $900,000 for her upcoming memoir and received four tickets to a Beyoncé concert valued at $3,700 from the artist herself.
Several Supreme Court justices, including Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Sonia Sotomayor, reported substantial income from book deals, with Kavanaugh set to publish a memoir about his controversial confirmation hearing. The justices also disclosed their salaries, with Chief Justice John Roberts earning $312,200.
While most justices revealed their financial information, Justice Samuel Alito received an extension to file his report. Alito has faced scrutiny over flags flown outside his properties, which he claims were raised by his wife. Additionally, lawmakers are pushing for legislation to enforce a code of conduct for the Supreme Court and investigate alleged violations.
The justices’ financial disclosures offer a glimpse into their earnings from book deals and other sources of income. However, the disclosures do not reveal the value of their homes or their spouses’ salaries. The justices recently adopted an ethics code, but it lacks enforcement mechanisms, leaving some lawmakers calling for stricter regulations.
In light of the disclosures, questions have been raised about the justices’ financial transparency and potential conflicts of interest. Despite calls for reforms, the likelihood of comprehensive legislation passing in a divided Congress remains uncertain. Overall, the financial disclosures shed light on the justices’ earnings and gifts received, highlighting the complexities of ethical considerations within the highest court in the land.