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Dear John,
The corruption at the U.S. Supreme Court has grown and deepened over the last several decades. Ethics scandal after ethics scandal has contributed to trust levels and job approval ratings for the Court hitting record lows. Now the time has come to shine a light on the full extent of what is happening, to make a full accounting.
The U.S. Senate is charged with the legal and moral authority to provide oversight of the Court, and now it is time for its powers of investigation to be brought to bear.
Questions that must be answered include: Who benefits from the cozying up, who is paying for it, and how do we stop it? Only a formal investigation will provide the depth that we need to address these fundamental issues underlying the Court’s essential integrity. Given recent revelations about far-reaching ethics violations, such an investigation should start with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Sign the petition now to demand the U.S. Senate and Department of Justice initiate a formal investigation of Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas.
Investigative news organizations including ProPublica and the New York Times, among others, have uncovered evidence that Justice Clarence Thomas received millions of dollars of gifts from an extensive network of billionaires with business before the Court. These were not just one-time dalliances, but constituted ongoing relationships that started after Thomas had taken on his position of power in the highest court in the nation.
Justice Thomas received not just one luxury vacation as an undisclosed gift, but 38 luxury vacations. He received not just one private jet flight, but 26 private jet flights. He received 8 helicopter flights, not to mention VIP skybox sports tickets, luxury resort stays, private school tuition for a relative, an invitation to an exclusive golf club, and a $267,230 “loan” for a luxurious recreational vehicle.
According to the Ethics in Government Act, all federal employees -- including Supreme Court justices -- are required to disclose information about gifts received. This information must include “the identity of the source, a brief description, and the value of all gifts… from any source other than a relative… except that any food, lodging, or entertainment received as personal hospitality of an individual need not be reported.”
Private jet flights are not exempted.
Justice Thomas claims these gifts were from personal friends, but these friends have great wealth and power, their companies have had cases before the Court, and their friendships began after Thomas himself was in a position of great power himself.
Thomas disclosed gifts early in his Supreme Court career, but he intentionally discontinued this practice when he ran into criticism. The reporting ended, and so did Thomas’ accountability to the American people.
By knowingly and consistently refusing to disclose many such gifts, worth millions of dollars, Justice Thomas repeatedly violated the Ethics in Government Act.
While a Senate investigation would be a good first step, the Senate also must refer Justice Thomas to the Department of Justice for formal investigation.
Add your name to the petition today to demand the U.S. Senate and DOJ initiate a formal investigation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Thank you for your efforts to help restore transparency and legitimacy to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
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