|
Dear John,
It’s no exaggeration to say an upcoming Supreme Court case has the potential to cause economic harm to the country on a scale that we have not seen before.
And four of the nine justices have overwhelmingly vested interests in this case. Justices Alito, Gorsuch, Roberts, and Thomas are so severely compromised that they must recuse themselves.
On December 5, the Supreme Court will hear Moore v. United States, a case with implications for tax law so drastic they could block Congress from ever fairly taxing corporations and the ultra-wealthy. Trillions of dollars of revenue, from over a dozen existing tax laws, are at stake.
Individual billionaires and large corporations could see billions in tax cuts if these laws are invalidated, and any hope for a future wealth tax (such as the OLIGARCH Act) or ensuring a healthy future for Medicare and Social Security will be out of the question.
As one tax expert put it, “The federal income tax could become largely voluntary for multinational corporations and sophisticated investors, and mandatory only for everyday Americans.”
No Supreme Court case in recent history has had the extreme potential economic impact that Moore v. United States does, limiting opportunities for social change for generations to come. And four justices overseeing this case have serious conflicts of interest. Sign the petition today to put the court on notice: the integrity of the court demands they must recuse themselves now.
What exactly are these conflicts of interest? Let’s go justice by justice.
Justice Samuel Alito owns stock in 17 corporations that could reduce their tax bill by $30 billion depending on his decision in Moore v. U.S. Alito also received over $100,000 in undisclosed luxury travel from billionaire Paul Singer while Singer had a case before the court, in which he was ultimately awarded $2.4 billion. Singer now stands to gain substantially from the current case as well.
Alito also currently receives PR services from lawyer David Rivkin, Jr, who represents the Moores in Moore v. U.S. This conflict of interest is blatant.
Justice Clarence Thomas has received at least 38 destination vacations, 26 private jet flights, six helicopter flights, yacht voyages (including to the Bahamas), a dozen VIP tickets to sporting events, home renovations and properties, and even private school tuition for a family member, from a small group of billionaires including Harlan Crow, David Sokol, and Wayne Huizenga, all of whom have major financial stakes in Moore.
Thomas’ wife Ginni has also received large cash gifts from the same billionaires, channeled clandestinely through several non-profits.
Justice Neil Gorsuch has ties to billionaire GOP donor Philip Anschutz, who stands to gain from the Moore case. Anschutz has been behind Gorsuch every step of the way, making huge donations to the Federalist Society before they elevated Gorsuch’s name on their short list of Supreme Court nominees for Donald Trump.
Anschutz is believed to be the anonymous donor who gave $7 million to the campaign to block Merrick Garland and $10 million to the campaign to instate Gorsuch to the court. Anschutz made his first-ever $500,000 donation to Mitch McConnell’s super PAC just one day before McConnell blocked Garland for what soon thereafter became Gorsuch’s seat.
And Chief Justice John Roberts holds stock in two corporations that could receive over $2 billion in tax savings based on the Moore case, creating a clear financial incentive for him.
These conflicts of interests are substantial and substantiated. The justices and their billionaire buddies stand to gain lots of money based on how the Moore case is decided. Sign the petition now and demand their recusal.
Thank you for insisting the Supreme Court meet basic ethical standards and that justices recuse themselves when they stand to benefit directly.
Robert Reich
Inequality Media Civic Action
|
