In 2019, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas publicly disclosed five trips that were paid for by someone else: a series of teaching and speaking engagements at U.S. law schools and colleges. He reported receiving no gifts.
That version of Thomas¡¯s travel itinerary didn¡¯t include a June 2019 trip revealed this week by the investigative journalism outlet ProPublica: a nine-day vacation to Indonesia that included a flight on a private jet and a stay on a super yacht, both owned by billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow.
The contrast between Thomas¡¯ reported and unreported activities in 2019 highlights the gaps in information found in the annual financial disclosures filed by justices and federal judges. These forms call for a public accounting of reimbursed travel ¡ª transportation, lodging, food, and entertainment ¡ª and gifts, but the judiciary has carved out exemptions for ¡°social¡± and ¡°personal¡± hospitality.
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