The federal courts decided not to send claims against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Justice Department. These claims say he might have broken ethics rules. The U.S. Judicial Conference told Democratic senators about this decision.
Justice Thomas agreed to follow new rules for reporting trips and gifts, especially from friends. He said he didn’t report some trips paid by wealthy friends like Harlan Crow because they are close friends. The Supreme Court did not comment on this.
In 2023, the Supreme Court made its first code of ethics but has no way to enforce it.
Judge Robert Conrad said it’s unclear if the law lets the U.S. Judicial Conference refer a Supreme Court justice for investigation. He noted that two Democratic senators already asked Attorney General Merrick Garland to appoint a special counsel, but no appointment has been announced.
The group Fix the Court says financial disclosure laws should apply to justices and wants Congress to create a clear process to investigate them for ethics issues. Gabe Roth, the group’s leader, stressed this need.
Conrad also addressed a complaint about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s reports on her husband’s income. She has updated her disclosures and agreed to the new rules.
