A Pulitzer-winning deep dive into the Supreme Court scandal (Pt 5): Clarence Thomas’ 38 Vacations: The Other Billionaires Who Have Treated the Supreme Court Justice to Luxury Travel
A Pulitzer-winning deep dive into the Supreme Court scandal (Pt 5): Clarence Thomas’ 38 Vacations: The Other Billionaires Who Have Treated the Supreme Court Justice to Luxury Travel
The fullest accounting yet shows how Thomas has secretly reaped the benefits from a network of wealthy and well-connected patrons that is far more extensive than previously understood.
This is Part 5 of a Pulitzer-winning ongoing series exploring the financial scandal surrounding the Supreme Court. For the other parts, or to discuss the series as a whole, click here.
During his three decades on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has enjoyed steady access to a lifestyle most Americans can only imagine. A cadre of industry titans and ultrawealthy executives have treated him to far-flung vacations aboard their yachts, ushered him into the premium suites at sporting events and sent their private jets to fetch him — including, on more than one occasion, an entire 737. It’s a stream of luxury that is both more extensive and from a wider circle than has been previously understood.
Like clockwork, Thomas’ leisure activities have been underwritten by benefactors who share the ideology that drives his jurisprudence. Their gifts include:
- At least 38 destination vacations, including a previously unreported voyage on a yacht around the Bahamas;
- 26 private jet flights, plus an additional eight by helicopter;
- A dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events, typically perched in the skybox;
- Two stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica;
- One standing invitation to an uber-exclusive golf club overlooking the Atlantic coast.
Archive link: https://archive.ph/nRP9U
