Hi Reader,

This morning, ProPublica broke another story about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas: He has attended and been used as a fundraising draw for multiple donor events for the Koch network, the political organization founded by libertarian billionaires Charles and David Koch. Thomas did not respond to our questions; the Koch network said Thomas was never present for fundraising conversations. In the story, a retired federal judge said if he had gone to a Koch summit as a judge, “I’d have gotten a letter that would’ve commenced a disciplinary proceeding.” The Supreme Court, however, is not subject to the same code of conduct.

This latest story continues ProPublica’s earlier reporting about Thomas and his lucrative friendship with billionaire Harlan Crow, as well as a variety of other ultrawealthy men. We revealed that Thomas accepted luxury travel and vacations from Crow (virtually every year for decades), that Thomas and his family sold Crow the home Thomas’ mother is currently living in, and that Crow has paid tuition for the child Thomas was raising as a son. Last month, Thomas filed his annual financial disclosure form after receiving an extension, and in it he acknowledged that he should have reported the real estate transaction with Crow when it happened. He also reported three private jet trips Crow provided him with last year, but he defended his previous practice of not disclosing private jet flights provided to him by friends over the years.

Between some historic rulings over the past few years and the political vacuum left by an often deadlocked legislature, the federal judiciary is playing a more visible role in our democracy. America’s government by the people relies on checks and balances to ensure a fair and just society, but it’s journalism that often plays a critical role ensuring our leaders are held to account. It is in this spirit that we developed our mission to use the power of investigative journalism to expose abuses of power and breaches of the public trust.

The work ProPublica does is not always quick and easy; in fact, it often takes months or even years to get to the truth. But we have the time and resources to dig into the behavior of those who hold our highest government offices because we’re reader-supported. Tens of thousands of readers donate to ProPublica each year to ensure that we continue to have the freedom and flexibility to keep at it for as long as it takes.

Join us today with your donation of any amount. Your gift will ensure we can keep holding the powerful to account, no matter how long it takes. Together, we’re making a difference.

Warmly,

Ragan Rhyne
Senior Vice President, Development
Proud ProPublican