Justice Thomas’ Undisclosed Luxury Travels with Harlan Crow
In late June 2019, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s last opinion of the term, Justice Clarence Thomas traveled to Indonesia on a private jet owned by real estate mogul Harlan Crow. Alongside his wife, he enjoyed a nine-day island-hopping vacation on a superyacht, potentially costing over $500,000 if self-funded. The vacation featured a yacht equipped with attendants and a private chef.
Documents and interviews reveal that Thomas has regularly accepted luxurious trips from Crow for over two decades without reporting them. With a $285,000 salary, Thomas’ failure to disclose these trips violates post-Watergate laws requiring justices and other government officials to declare most gifts. He has traveled globally on Crow’s jet, attended exclusive retreats, and enjoyed stays at Crow’s private resort.
Ethics experts stress this lack of disclosure undermines public trust. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner stated, “It’s incomprehensible to me that someone would do this.” Former ethics lawyer Virginia Canter warns that the luxury lifestyle undermines ethical obligations, corroding public trust.
ProPublica examined flight records, internal documents, and interviews, detailing Thomas’ extensive travel history with Crow. Federal judges hold public trust through lifetime tenure, meant to guard against political influence. Unlike lower court judges, Supreme Court justices self-regulate with few gift restrictions. Unlike Congress members, they face limited oversight on receiving gifts.
Thomas’ ethical choices have sparked public criticism, notably for not recusing from cases involving his wife’s political activities. The New York Times and other outlets previously highlighted Crow’s generosity, including significant financial support to Ginni Thomas’ political endeavors. The full extent of Crow’s gifts has remained undisclosed.
Crow’s influence in conservative politics includes funding groups promoting favorable judicial policies. Since Thomas joined the court, Crow’s firm hasn’t appeared in front of the Supreme Court, yet ideologies Crow supports often align with Thomas’ decisions.
Thomas portrays himself as possessing simple tastes, often preferring RV parks and Walmart parking lots to luxurious settings, a view supported by a documentary financed by Crow. However, the lavish vacations suggest a disconnect between this image and reality.
Camp Topridge, Crow’s 105-acre resort, offers lavish amenities such as multiple fireplaces, private chefs, and eccentric features like a replica of Hagrid’s hut. Thomas has frequented this resort, often mingling with influential figures. A painting there depicts him with conservative activists and Crow himself.
Speaking to Thomas’ relationships, Crow describes his gatherings as mere friends meeting, maintaining he never sought to influence Thomas legally. Having supported conservative causes and institutions, Crow’s donations impact judicial thinking.
Recent disclosures highlight Thomas receiving gifts such as a Frederick Douglass Bible and ongoing financial support for projects celebrating him. Interviews with crew members and travel records detail his frequent voyages on Crow’s superyacht, the Michaela Rose.
Experts argue that Thomas’ failure to report yacht trips and private flights violates disclosure laws. Rules explicitly demand reporting of gifts exceeding $415. Even when using private property exemption, those not covering transportation must be reported, recent guidance notes clarify.
Though Thomas acknowledged a 1997 private jet trip, his ongoing neglect to disclose remains unclarified. Flight records suggest numerous undisclosed voyages, including regular summer visits to Crow’s estate and attending private events such as a statue unveiling of his beloved teacher.
This ongoing relationship and lack of transparency raise questions about the influence of wealth on judicial ethics. As Thomas continues participating in Crow’s elite gatherings and travel, public concern grows over judicial impartiality and accountability.