Justice Clarence Thomas is believed to have accepted luxury trips worth millions since he joined the Supreme Court in 1991, according to ProPublica.
Thomas reportedly accepted at least 38 additional expensive vacations that he did not previously declare, according to the ProPublica report. Thomas agreed to everything, including a yacht tour of the Bahamas, a stay at a five-star resort in Jamaica, and front-row seats to collegiate and pro sporting events.
“In my career, I don’t remember ever seeing this degree of largesse given to anybody. I think it’s unprecedented,” Jeremy Fogel, a former federal judge who served on a committee that reviews judicial financial disclosures, told the publication.
According to a report released on Thursday, Thomas took gifts from wealthy oil tycoon Paul “Tony” Novelly, including a trip to the Bahamas, tickets to Miami Dolphins and Florida Panthers games from the team’s previous owner H. Wayne Huizenga, and lodging at gorgeous homes owned by former Berkshire Hathaway employee David Sokol. Huizenga reportedly permitted Thomas entry to a private golf club that was created by Gary Player and was once the most coveted invitation of its kind.
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According to ProPublica, Sokol also gave Thomas tickets and all-access privileges to see his favored Nebraska Cornhuskers. Since Thomas’ wife Virginia “Ginni” is from Nebraska, he has officially expressed his support for the Big Ten institution.
Justice Thomas’ disclosure of the gifts, flights, and lavish trips he has received from affluent friends has come under scrutiny in a number of ProPublica exposes. Thomas has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but the accusations have caused a scandal over the idea that the country’s wealthy elite may dine and drink with judges whenever they like. Thomas has previously claimed that he was informed that not all of the visits met the criteria for what was to be disclosed.
