Democratic Senators have formally requested Attorney General Merrick Garland to initiate a special counsel investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The call for this investigation stems from concerns over potential federal ethics violations and the “serious possibility” of tax fraud related to undeclared gifts.
In a letter released on Tuesday, Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon outlined their request. They emphasized the need to probe Thomas’s financial and personal ties to affluent individuals, particularly right-wing megadonor Harlan Crow. Crow has reportedly provided Thomas with lavish international trips, gifts, and even covered tuition fees for Thomas’s grand-nephew, Mark Martin, to attend expensive boarding schools.
Last August, Thomas updated his 2022 financial disclosures to include previously undeclared gifts and vacations from Crow. The senators stated, “We do not make this request lightly. The evidence assembled thus far plainly suggests that Justice Thomas has committed numerous willful violations of federal ethics and false-statement laws and raises significant questions about whether he and his wealthy benefactors have complied with their federal tax obligations. Presented with opportunities to resolve questions about his conduct, Justice Thomas has maintained a suspicious silence.”
A spokesperson for Whitehouse directed Business Insider to a press release about the letter, which indicated that Whitehouse has been advocating for over a year for the Judicial Conference to investigate Thomas’s “omissions of billionaire-funded gifts and income from his legally required annual financial disclosure reports.”
Additionally, a representative for Wyden, who chairs the Senate’s Committee on Finance, mentioned that the committee released a staff memo in October. This memo detailed that Thomas had never reported forgiveness on a $267,230 loan on his ethics forms, raising further questions about his tax compliance. After months of the committee’s repeated requests for an explanation from Thomas and his attorney went unanswered, the spokesperson said that requesting a formal investigation was the necessary next step.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the letter when reached by Business Insider. Representatives for the Supreme Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thomas has previously denied any wrongdoing, arguing that gifts from Crow and others fall under a “personal hospitality exemption,” meaning they don’t require disclosure.
The senators’ letter underscores the gravity of the situation, suggesting that Thomas’s actions may have violated federal ethics and false-statement laws. They also raise concerns about whether Thomas and his wealthy benefactors have complied with their federal tax obligations. The letter highlights the need for a thorough investigation to determine the extent of any potential wrongdoing.
The call for an investigation into Thomas’s financial dealings is not new. Whitehouse has been vocal about the need for transparency and accountability in the judiciary. He has previously called for the Judicial Conference to investigate Thomas’s financial disclosures, arguing that the justice’s omissions of billionaire-funded gifts and income raise serious ethical concerns.
Wyden, as the chairman of the Senate’s Committee on Finance, has also been actively involved in scrutinizing Thomas’s financial dealings. The committee’s staff memo detailing Thomas’s failure to report loan forgiveness on his ethics forms has added fuel to the fire, prompting the senators to take the next step in requesting a formal investigation.
The Justice Department’s decision to decline comment on the letter is not surprising, given the sensitive nature of the allegations. However, the lack of response from the Supreme Court is notable, as it raises questions about the institution’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
Thomas’s defense that the gifts from Crow and others fall under a “personal hospitality exemption” has been met with skepticism. Critics argue that the exemption should not apply to lavish gifts and vacations, especially when they come from individuals with significant financial interests that could be affected by the Supreme Court’s decisions.
The senators’ request for a special counsel investigation into Thomas’s financial dealings is a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of the justice’s ethics. If granted, the investigation could have far-reaching implications for Thomas and the Supreme Court as a whole.
The call for an investigation also highlights the broader issue of judicial ethics and the need for greater transparency and accountability in the judiciary. The allegations against Thomas underscore the importance of robust ethical standards and the need for mechanisms to enforce them.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Attorney General Garland will grant the senators’ request for a special counsel investigation. If he does, the investigation could shed light on the extent of Thomas’s financial dealings and any potential violations of federal ethics and tax laws.
In the meantime, the senators’ letter serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical conduct in the judiciary and the need for transparency and accountability at all levels of government. The allegations against Thomas are serious and warrant a thorough investigation to ensure that justice is served.
Source: Business Insider
