ProPublica published a bombshell story revealing that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas secretly accepted luxury trips and travel from billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow and that Thomas did not disclose these trips on his annual financial disclosures. Thomas later put out a statement saying he didn’t think he needed to disclose the trips. Crow’s statement said it was hospitality for dear friends and wasn’t intended to influence justice.
The story sparked discussions and outrage all over the country. Lawmakers announced an upcoming hearing and demanded that Chief Justice John Roberts investigate these trips.
The newest story is out: “Billionaire Harlan Crow Bought Property From Clarence Thomas. The Justice Didn’t Disclose the Deal.” The transaction is the first known instance of money flowing from Crow to the Supreme Court justice. Thomas didn’t respond to our questions. Crow said he bought Thomas’ mother’s house to preserve it for posterity.
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#ProPublica NEW: In 2014, one of Texas billionaire Harlan Crow’s companies purchased a string of properties on a quiet residential street in Savannah, Georgia. It wasn’t a marquee acquisition for the real estate magnate, just an old single-story home and two vacant lots down the road. What made it noteworthy were the people on the other side of the deal: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his relatives.
The transaction is the first known instance of money flowing from Crow to the Supreme Court justice. The sale netted the GOP megadonor two vacant lots and the house where Thomas’ mother was living.
In a statement, Crow said he purchased Thomas’ mother’s house, where Thomas spent part of his childhood, to preserve it for posterity. “My intention is to one day create a public museum at the Thomas home dedicated to telling the story of our nation’s second black Supreme Court Justice,” he said. “I approached the Thomas family about my desire to maintain this historic site so future generations could learn about the inspiring life of one of our greatest Americans.”
Thomas did not respond to detailed questions for this story.
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