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In a recent report, it has been revealed that GOP billionaire Harlan Crow purchased three properties in Georgia from Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his family back in 2014. What makes this transaction controversial is the fact that Thomas failed to disclose it in his annual disclosure forms. This comes in the wake of another revelation that Thomas and his wife have been accepting luxury trips funded by Crow for years, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The purchase of these properties has put pressure on the Supreme Court to adopt stricter ethics requirements in order to prevent such conflicts. Democratic lawmakers and various advocacy groups have called on Chief Justice John Roberts to investigate the matter. However, the Supreme Court has yet to respond to these requests for comment.
Digging Deeper into the Controversy
According to the report by ProPublica, a company owned by Harlan Crow spent a significant sum of $133,363 to buy property in Savannah that belonged to Justice Clarence Thomas, his mother, and the late brother's family. The company then proceeded to carry out renovations on one of the homes, where Thomas' mother still resided. It is worth noting that Thomas did not disclose this transaction, even though federal law requires officials to report real estate sales exceeding $1,000.
This revelation follows ProPublica's previous report that Thomas had accepted extravagant trips, including a 2019 trip to Indonesia worth over $500,000, paid for by Harlan Crow. These trips were not disclosed either. These findings raise questions about the ethical standards followed by Justice Thomas and the need for greater transparency in the judiciary.
The Perspectives of Thomas and Crow
Justice Clarence Thomas, who was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George H.W. Bush, has not yet responded to the latest report. In response to the initial story about his travel, Thomas justified the gifts from his "close personal friends" by stating that they were not reportable since they did not have business before the court. However, legal experts and ethicists argue that while the justices are exempt from reporting hospitality from friends, real estate sales should be disclosed.
Harlan Crow, on the other hand, defended his purchase of the house where Thomas' mother lives by stating his intention to preserve it and eventually create a public museum dedicated to the legacy of the nation's second black Supreme Court justice. Crow has expressed his desire to ensure that future generations can learn about the inspiring life of one of America's greatest figures.
Reactions and Calls for Change
This latest controversy surrounding Justice Clarence Thomas has drawn swift responses from various groups critical of the Supreme Court. Rakim H.D. Brooks, president of the liberal Alliance for Justice, called for Thomas to resign, stating that these revelations of corruption undermine the trust in his ability to fairly interpret the law and the Supreme Court's ability to administer justice.
There has been mounting pressure on the Supreme Court for years to adopt a code of ethics in line with lower federal court judges. Despite this, the Court has resisted implementing such a code. Transparency and the identification of potential conflicts are essential to restore public trust in the highest court of the land. As Marilyn Carpinteyro, co-president of Common Cause, stated, "Americans expect and deserve a fair and impartial Supreme Court."
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