This is just ugly for Clarence Thomas
Clarence Thomas claims that we now live in a colorblind society, but he seems most partial to one color: green. His “friendships” are very important to him, and he has enriched himself greatly from those relationships. He has also compromised himself as a justice on the high court, and he is a solid example for the argument of term limits. Some of the latest accusations are stunning. According to the Guardian, several attorneys with business before the Court paid money to one of Thomas’s aides, Rajan Vasisht, who worked for Thomas from 2019 to 2021.
The Guardian reviewed Vasisht’s Venmo transactions, which have now mysteriously disappeared from public view. Imagine that. Before being removed, however, the Guardian found seven payments in November and December 2019 from former clerks of Thomas. They claimed to be donating to Thomas’s Christmas party. One of the most interesting “donations” came from Patrick Strawbridge, who led the fight (and won) for dismantling affirmative action. Coincidence? Not likely. Attorneys have been greasing Thomas’s palm for some time now. Richard Painter, chief ethics officer under George W. Bush, told the Guardian: “There is no excuse for it. Thomas could invite them to his Christmas party, and he could attend Christmas parties, as long as they are not discussing any cases. His Christmas party should not be paid for by lawyers.” Painter went on to point out that these lawyers were senior litigators at large firms as opposed to recently employed law clerks. Were these “payoffs” of some type? We will, of course, never know, but Thomas’s gifts don’t stop there.
According to Business Insider, one of Thomas’s long-time “friends”-Armstrong Williams, a conservative commentator-paid for his wedding reception, while Harlan Crow paid for private school for Thomas’s nephew while treating Thomas and his wife to luxurious vacations aboard his yacht. According to Williams, the Horatio Alger Association opened its arms to Thomas, and “in return, he opened up the Supreme Court.” Thomas apparently used to brag about his gifts, but that has ceased since his failure to report those gifts is unethical. One of Thomas’s more interesting gifts is a Super Bowl ring he received from [Dallas Cowboys’ owner] Jerry Jones. Pro Football Talk reported that Thomas has flown on Jones’s private jet, attended training camp practices, and sat in Jones’s private suite in Washington.
Thomas was also friendly with the late owner of the Miami Dolphins, Wayne Huizenga. Thomas took advantage of private jets and team meetings and was once flown from the Dolphins’ practice field by helicopter. Thomas is quoted as saying: “I love the Dolphins. I’m a Dolphins fan. Primarily a Cowboys fan, but a Dolphins fan also.” Obviously. We would be their fans too if we had benefit of those lavish gifts. Look, it’s okay to accept gifts, but the failure to report them makes them suspect. When you consider the cases that come before SCOTUS, it looks even worse. Members of the Supreme Court should be beyond reproach and above even the appearance of impropriety. If they cannot do that, they do not belong on the court.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years