Allegations of shady finances continue to stack against Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who recently came under fire for accepting gifts from wealthy donors — including billionaire Harlan Crow — while failing to report them.
Without directly naming them, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer heavily criticized Justice Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito for accepting billionaire donations.
"This MAGA-captured Supreme Court feels free to accept lavish gifts and vacations from their powerful, billionaire friends," Schumer wrote in a "Dear Colleague" letter.
Thomas and Alito reportedly accepted gifts from Leonard Leo, who "oversees a multi-billion-dollar dark money operation to influence the Supreme Court."
"These are no ordinary billionaires — they are ideological extremists who bankroll hard-right MAGA causes and then bring those cases before the same Justices they’ve patronized," Schumer wrote.
In a recent investigation conducted by The New York Times, it was revealed that Justice Thomas had access to billionaire donations through the nonprofit Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans. Thomas, who is an honorary member of the Association's board of directors, quickly formed connections with wealthy conservatives through the organization.
The wealthy friends Thomas made, often large donors to conservative causes, invited him to their parties and gifted him with lavish vacations. And most of these gifts were not disclosed, the Times noted.
Thomas also hosted the organization's inaugural ceremony at the Supreme Court, even though the court advises against using its resources to raise money.
David Sokol, a wealthy executive and investor, is among the Justice's most notable Horatio Alger friends. Sokol defended Thomas after allegations that he sexually harassed Anita Hill were resurfaced in a 2016 HBO documentary.
Sokol has described Thomas and his wife as "close personal friends," and he told the Times that Justice Thomas is "a national treasure and a genuine example of the existence of the American dream."
“Congress has clear authority to oversee the federal judiciary, and we must explore every option for restoring faith in our courts,” Schumer said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has also announced that they plan to investigate the alleged ethical violations by Thomas and Alito.
"The highest court in the land should not have the lowest ethical standards," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin said. "Since the Chief Justice has refused to act, the Judiciary Committee must."
