Clarence Thomas and the Case of Supreme Court Ethics: QuickTake

US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is under scrutiny over his acceptance of financial largesse from Harlan Crow, a Texas billionaire who supports conservative business causes. Thomas didn’t disclose trips paid for by Crow or the sale of property to Crow, as required under post-Watergate ethics laws that also apply to presidents, members of Congress and some other federal officials. Yet there is little chance Thomas faces recourse, because unlike other US branches and agencies, the Supreme Court has no code of conduct for justices, and the constitutional system provides few tools for addressing alleged misconduct by members of ...