U.S. SC Justice Thomas: No Need To Report Free Trips

Beleaguered US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has defended luxury trips he has taken over decades, funded by real estate magnate and Republican donor Harlan Crow, saying he was not required to report this type of "personal hospitality" under federal rules, Laura Sanicola and Richard Cowan reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Thomas also said that he has always sought to comply with disclosure guidelines and justified not reporting the perks based on “advice” from colleagues.

Thomas also said that he has always sought to comply with disclosure guidelines and justified not reporting the perks based on “advice” from colleagues.

There is no record that benefits received from “close friends” pushing a right-wing agenda and having cases in various courts are exempt from mandatory reporting under federal rules.

Thomas has not presented any document to back up his claim.

ProPublica reported on Thursday that the long-serving justice accepted expensive trips from Crow over decades despite federal law requiring the disclosure of most gifts, prompting Senate Democrats to call for an investigation.

Thomas, who adheres to the strange legal doctrine of “originalism,” also figured in the Anita Hill scandal and refused to recuse himself in a case involving his own wife, Virginia “Ginni” Hill, a Trump backer and promoter of conspiracy theories.

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