Clarence Thomas Tries to Explain Gifts of Luxury Travel

“Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas released his first public statement since a ProPublica report revealed that he had accepted luxury trips around the globe for more than two decades, including travel on a superyacht and private jet, from a prominent Republican donor without disclosing them,” the Washington Post reports.

“The trips were funded by Harlan Crow, a Dallas businessman and influential donor to Republican candidates and causes related to the law and judiciary. Thomas said Friday that Crow was among his ‘dearest friends’ for over 25 years.”

Said Thomas: “As friends do, we have joined Crow and his wife on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them. Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.”

The Los Angeles Times says it reported about Thomas’ gifts 20 years ago. After that he stopped disclosing them.