Public records or news reports on formal ethics complaints

Judicial Conference Declines DOJ Referral for Justice Clarence Thomas Over Financial Disclosures Tied to Harlan Crow

Jan 3, 2025, 12:51 AM

The U.S. Judicial Conference has declined to refer Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Department of Justice over allegations that he failed to disclose luxury gifts and travel provided by a wealthy benefactor, Harlan Crow. The decision was communicated in letters from Robert Conrad, the Conference's secretary, to Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Representative Hank Johnson, who had requested the referral. The Judicial Conference cited doubts about its authority to oversee Supreme Court justices and constitutional questions regarding its ability to act without explicit congressional authorization. Justice Thomas has amended his financial disclosure statements to address concerns and agreed to follow updated guidelines on reporting gifts and travel. The Conference also indicated plans to study its authority in such matters in the coming months. Democratic outrage over the ethics concerns has been fueled by Thomas's close relationship with Crow, who has been a longtime friend. A similar complaint against Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson regarding her financial disclosures was also dismissed after she amended her filings.