U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to investigate reports that Justice Clarence Thomas received hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and free travel from a wealthy benefactor.
The report last week in ProPublica indicated Thomas received lavish vacations, free travel on private jets and yachts, and other perks from his friend, billionaire Harlan Crow.
Durbin – who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee – notes that more than a decade ago, senators asked the Supreme Court to adopt the same code of ethics that applies to all federal judges, but Chief Justice John Roberts refused.
Durbin says if the Court now fails to tighten its ethical standards, then Congress may have to take legislative action.
