Two Democratic senators, Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Ron Wyden of Oregon, have called for a criminal investigation into Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, citing a series of ethics scandals surrounding the justice.
In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the senators requested that a special counsel be appointed to investigate possible violations of federal ethics and tax laws by Thomas. The letter alleges that Thomas has accepted luxury vacations and other valuable gifts from wealthy friends, many of which were not reported on financial disclosure forms or were only recently disclosed in response to media reports.
The senators argue that Thomas’ actions may have violated the Ethics in Government Act, which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully fail to file or report gifts and income from outside sources. They also suggest that Thomas may have violated federal tax laws and laws against making false statements.
Thomas has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he was simply accepting hospitality from close friends and was told he did not have to report the gifts on his financial disclosures. However, the senators point out that Thomas has failed to disclose multiple trips with real estate magnate Harlan Crow, who has reportedly funded the bulk of Thomas’ gifts.
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The controversy surrounding Thomas is part of a broader ethics controversy at the Supreme Court, with multiple justices facing criticism for potential conflicts of interest. The scandals have contributed to declining trust in the Supreme Court, with public opinion plummeting to record lows.
In November, the Supreme Court unveiled a new code of ethics in response to the concerns. However, legal scholars have criticized the rule for not going far enough because it does not hold justices accountable for breaking it.
The Justice Department and Supreme Court have not yet responded to requests for comment on the senators’ letter.