Recent financial disclosures have exposed travel perks and substantial book deals among U.S. Supreme Court justices, raising transparency questions.
Justice Clarence Thomas recently admitted to travel expenses funded by businessman Harlan Crow in 2019. This acknowledgment comes amidst increasing scrutiny of Thomas's luxury travel and undisclosed trips over the years.
However, while leftists have focused on Justice Thomas, it turns out that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has also received significant earnings and gifts according to Town Hall.
These included a night in Bali, Indonesia, and a stay at a private club in Sonoma County, California.
According to a report by ProPublica, the travel for Justice Thomas was not limited to hotels but also involved private jet use and a yacht tour, all provided by Crow. This has sparked a dialogue on the need for transparency in the reporting of such benefits. The new federal judiciary rules instituted in March now mandate judges to disclose the values of travel-related gifts.
The Supreme Court introduced an ethics code in November, although it lacks an enforcement mechanism. The code is part of broader changes aimed at enhancing transparency among federal judges concerning their travels and financial gains.
In addition to Thomas, other justices have also disclosed significant earnings from books and gifts. For instance, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reported an advance of nearly $900,000 for her memoir "Lovely One," scheduled for publication in September 2023.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh received a $340,000 advance for a book due to be released by a Hachette Book Group imprint, while Justice Neil Gorsuch reported a royalty income of $250,000. Justice Sonia Sotomayor also garnered nearly $90,000 from her publications.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett's disclosures revealed a $425,000 advance for an upcoming book as part of a more extensive $2 million deal signed in 2020. These disclosures highlight the justices' ability to earn well beyond their annual salaries, which are $298,500 for associate justices and $312,200 for the Chief Justice in 2023.
Amid these revelations, Justice Samuel Alito has been granted an extension for his financial disclosure, which has historically included scrutiny for flags outside his properties. The extension and the reasons behind it have not been detailed in the disclosures.
Justice Thomas, who had previously been criticized for not reporting some of his travel expenses, did not include the cost of his Bali hotel room in the recent disclosures. This omission raises questions about the completeness of the financial reports filed by justices.
Justice Jackson, besides her book deal, received artwork valued at $12,500 for her office and tickets to a Beyoncé concert worth $3,700. Supreme Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe commented on this, saying, "Justice Jackson is Crazy in Love with Beyonce’s music. Who isn’t?"
This gift, along with the travel and book deals, reflects the various forms of income and benefits that justices can receive, potentially influencing public perception of the judiciary's independence and impartiality.
While the new ethics code is a step towards greater transparency, the lack of an enforcement mechanism poses a challenge to its efficacy. The recent disclosures by justices, particularly those involving substantial external income and gifts, underscore the ongoing debate over the financial and ethical standards expected of the highest court's judges.
In conclusion, the recent financial disclosures from Supreme Court justices reveal a complex tapehash of privately funded travels, lucrative book deals, and personal gifts.
These revelations come at a time when the new ethics code and disclosure requirements aim to foster a greater sense of accountability among federal judges. As the justices continue to navigate the intersections of ethics, personal income, and public trust, the effectiveness of the new measures will be closely watched by both the public and legal communities alike.
