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Ethics in the Roberts Court

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Chief justice John Roberts

Several ethical concerns have arisen in the Roberts Court (2005–present).

Ethics concerns

Real estate transactions

During his tenure at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick from 1995 until 2005, justice Neil Gorsuch represented business magnate Philip Anschutz. Following his appointment to the Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit in 2006, Gorsuch has appeared at speaking events at Anschutz's Eagles Nest Ranch. Beginning in 2015, Gorsuch sought a buyer for a forty-acre property in Granby, Colorado, he co-owned with two associates of Anschutz. After Gorsuch's confirmation to the Supreme Court in April 2017, Greenberg Traurig chief executive Brian Duffy purchased Gorsuch's Granby property for US$1.8 million; Gorsuch received between US$250,000 to US$500,000 from the sale. By April 2023, at least twenty-two cases in which Greenberg Traurig filed an amicus brief or represented a party appeared before the Court. Gorsuch sided with Greenberg eight times and against Greenberg four times. The identity of who purchased the Granby property was not disclosed until a Politico report in April 2023.

Undisclosed finances

See also: Harlan Crow § Gifts to Clarence Thomas

The Los Angeles Times reported in December 2004 that justice Clarence Thomas had accepted tens of thousands of dollars in gifts since his confirmation on behalf of real estate developer Harlan Crow, including an invitation to the Bohemian Grove and a US$5,000 check to assist Thomas's grandnephew's education costs. After the Los Angeles Times's article, Thomas omitted including donations and vacations that he received.

External influence

See also: Supreme Court Historical Society § Faith and Action influence peddling

Responses

Federal

In July 2024, in the wake of multiple conflict-of-interest complaints and media reports, President Joe Biden endorsed the first binding code of ethics for SCOTUS.

References

  1. Savage, Charlie; Turkewitz, Julie (March 14, 2017). "Neil Gorsuch Has Web of Ties to Secretive Billionaire". The New York Times. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  2. Przybyla, Heidi (April 25, 2023). "Law firm head bought Gorsuch-owned property". Politico. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  3. Serrano, Richard; Savage, David (December 31, 2004). "Justice Thomas Reports Wealth of Gifts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  4. Savage, David (April 6, 2023). "Los Angeles Times reported about Justice Thomas' gifts 20 years ago. After that he stopped disclosing them". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  5. Durkee, Alison "Supreme Court Ethics Controversies: All The Scandals That Led Biden To Endorse Code Of Conduct" Forbes, July 29, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  6. Quinn, Melissa "Supreme Court adopts formal code of conduct amid scrutiny over ethics practices" CBS News November 13, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
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