Unreported Private Jet Trips: A New Twist in the Clarence Thomas Controversy

In a recent turn of events, Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore. , revealed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose additional private jet travel in 2010. According to Wyden, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, Thomas and his wife took a round-trip from Hawaii to New Zealand aboard conservative megadonor Harlan Crow's private jet. This revelation has intensified concerns that Crow may have been involved in a tax evasion scheme, as Wyden suspects that Crow might have been 'showering a public official with extravagant gifts' and subsequently writing them off as tax deductions. This letter from Wyden is the latest in a series of allegations from Senate Democrats regarding undisclosed travel by Thomas. Previously, the Senate Judiciary Committee released records in June showing other undisclosed trips. Thomas's office has been accused of 'abusing' its panel's power and engaging in a political campaign against the Supreme Court. Crow's office responded by stating that their attorneys have already addressed Wyden's inquiries, which they consider to be baseless and intended only to harass a private citizen.They further emphasized that Crow and his businesses are in good standing with the IRS and that he has always followed applicable tax laws. Thomas acknowledged a pair of trips in 2019 with Crow in his annual financial disclosure report in June. The judiciary has since updated its disclosure rules to explicitly require reporting of private jet travel. Thomas's attorney, Elliot S. Berke, stated in June that a provision by the Judicial Conference allowed for a personal hospitality exemption and that Thomas 'has fully complied with the new disclosure requirement. ' The Supreme Court faces increasing internal and external pressure to establish an enforceable code of ethics for the justices. Recently, President Joe Biden endorsed changes involving term limits and ethics for justices, while conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch cautioned Biden to 'be careful' with the changes he supports.