Recently, I have posted several items about the unfitness of Clarence Thomas to rule on most issues before the court due to his conflicts of interest. He has actively supported and participated in extreme right wing strategy sessions and he has a financial stake in extreme right wing positions, because much of his family income comes from his wife’s activism on their behalf. The latest is that, through a spokesperson, Clarence Thomas lied about the extent of his participation in the infamous Koch Brothers strategy session for the uber-rich.
Discrepancies in reports about an appearance by Justice Clarence Thomas at a political retreat for wealthy conservatives three years ago have prompted new questions to the Supreme Court from a group that advocates changing campaign finance laws.
When questions were first raised about the retreat last month, a court spokeswoman said Justice Thomas had made a “brief drop-by” at the event in Palm Springs, Calif., in January 2008 and had given a talk.
In his financial disclosure report for that year, however, Justice Thomas reported that the Federalist Society [extremists delinked], a prominent conservative legal group, had reimbursed him an undisclosed amount for four days of “transportation, meals and accommodations” over the weekend of the retreat. The event is organized by Charles and David Koch, brothers who have used millions of dollars from the energy conglomerate they run in Wichita, Kan., to finance conservative causes.
Arn Pearson, a vice president at the advocacy group Common Cause, said the two statements appeared at odds. His group sent a letter to the Supreme Court on Monday asking for “further clarification” as to whether the justice spent four days at the retreat for the entire event or was there only briefly.
“I don’t think the explanation they’ve given is credible,” Mr. Pearson said in an interview. He said that if Justice Thomas’s visit was a “four-day, all-expenses paid trip in sunny Palm Springs,” it should have been reported as a gift under federal law.
The Supreme Court had no comment on the issue Monday. Nor did officials at the Federalist Society or at Koch Industries.
Common Cause maintains that Justice Thomas should have disqualified himself from last year’s landmark campaign finance ruling in the Citizens United case, partly because of his ties to the Koch brothers… [emphasis added]
Inserted from <NY Times>
Note that Thomas’ payoff money came from a third party, in an attempt to cover it up. Common Cause did some great detective work to catch it.
Rachel Maddow also picked up on this:
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This is the second lie Teabag Tomas told about this incident. The first as that Thomas forgot to disclose $hundreds of thousands his wife was paid for her extreme right e activism.
Thomas should be impeached, but with Republicans holding the House, it won’t happen.
Clearly, no Republican can be put in position to appoint a Supreme Court Justice like Thomas, Scalia, Roberts, or Alito until after all four are gone, or better yet, never again!
16 Responses to “Clarence Thomas Lied About Conflicts”
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“Rooster” Thomas mas made a fortune off whoring out his wife. And I’ll be damned if I can figure out why. Way back when, I saw her, and I said to my late father “no wonder he was hitting on Anita Hill.”
And given the truth in what you say, she’s the
more attractive, less unattractive.Both Thomas and his pathetic wife are arrogant pigs who think they are above the law. Impeachment would be too kind—there’s got to be something more drastic that can be done. He and the rest of the conservatives on the Roberts court should have mass demonstrations in front of their homes on a daily basis. NONE of those goons are above the law, and each and every one of them should be reminded of that, as often as possible!
With the caveat that there should be no violence against even them.
Good for the N Y Times for getting on top of the story.
Good on Common Cause for telling the NY Times.
I would think that the IRS would be right up his A$$! IRS? Hello? HELLO??? 😕
Nicolai, I think he reported them on his taxes, but IRS records are private, so we can’t know. It was on his disclosure forms to alert the court for possible conflicts of interest that he lied.
Our Justice Department should investigate both he and Scalia. They both seem to be crooks with the legal power to make up law.
LT!! Long Time No See!! When I got back a year and a half ago, I couldn’t find you! 🙂
I fully agree.
Hey let’s just remember that this is SCOTUS and they already have a track record of making the illegal, legal. with their majority on the court they just have to change the law and Ols Clarence is off the hook. It is the only branch of government that can exempt itself from the law.
Why In God’s name would you want people to show up at their hoouse…why not 10 million at the Supreme Courthouse steps, all silent and simply looking. Can’t be arrested for a silent protest without a permit now can you?
I also prefer protest in at the Court. I’m sure they live in secure gated communities anyway. They have to know that as hated as they are, they are at risk. The right has a massive preponderance of violent crazies, but not a total monopoly.
“The Supreme Court had no comment on the issue Monday. Nor did officials at the Federalist Society or at Koch Industries.”
❓ Clarence Thomas Lied About Conflicts
Welcome Rixar! 🙂
That’s correct. The article details it.
“The Supreme Court had no comment on the issue Monday. Nor did officials at the Federalist Society or at Koch Industries.”
❓ Perhaps a comment is due….!
I think the reason none has come out is that they’re caught red handed.