Justice Clarence Thomas accused of luxury living thanks to billionaire GOP megadonor

Reports have brought up allegations that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was living it up, taking expensive gifts from Republican megadonor Harlan Crow, bringing him back under scrutiny.

Thomas has recently been seen traveling on private jets, staying at exclusive resorts in upstate New York, and chartering luxury yachts to visit remote islands in Indonesia. The research discovered lavish excursions dating back over two decades that Thomas’ representatives said were gifts. In addition, Thomas is being investigated for failing to report his personal flights.

Thomas’ representatives insist that the Supreme Court Justice and the Crow family have been close for years and that Thomas never once asked for any of the perks he was provided with. The Republican donor told ProPublica that he and Thomas are “very dear friends,” in a statement, and that he has always prioritized spending time with his friends and family.

Once the news broke that Thomas didn’t reveal these luxurious travels sponsored by the GOP megadonor, New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for his impeachment once again on Sunday.

Ocasio-Cortez demanded a probe into the situation in an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union,” indicating it was “the House’s responsibility to pursue that investigation in the form of impeachment.”

“I believe that we should pursue the course. And if it is Republicans that decide to protect those who are breaking the law, then they are the ones who then are responsible for that decision,” she added, referring to the House GOP majority, which would be unlikely to pursue such an investigation. “But we should not be complicit in that.”

On Thursday, Ocasio-Cortez posted the first request for Thomas’ impeachment on Twitter.

According to CNN Politics, Thomas claimed on Friday that he chose not to divulge the opulent travel because he had been told not to by “coworkers and others in the judiciary” at the time.

However, many are wondering to what extent, if any, did Thomas’s receipt of these gifts affect his work on the Supreme Court? Also, what exactly are considered “luxury gifts and travel?” Let’s dive into just a few of Clarence Thomas’s luxurious travels, as highlighted by Travel Noire.

Camp Topridge

In the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, Camp Topridge is a revered Great Camp. The Upper St. Regis Lake shoreline camp is renowned for its big rustic architecture and picturesque natural environment. It was originally constructed in the early 20th century for rich socialite and entrepreneur Marjorie Merriweather Post. A main lodge, guest cabins, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and a boathouse are just a few of the several structures present at the camp. Throughout the early 1900s, it was frequently utilized for high-society parties and was intended to be a sumptuous getaway for Post and her visitors.

Harlan Crow owns Camp Topridge now, and it is sporadically used for occasions. Three boathouses, a clay tennis court, 25 fireplaces, a batting cage, and a recreation of Hagrid’s hut from Harry Potter are all found on the estate.

The Bombardier Global 5000 jet

It is common knowledge that chartering a private plane is extremely expensive. While openly declaring his fondness for RV camping with his family, it appears that Supreme Court Judge Clarence Thomas has no problem occasionally using Harlan Crow’s private jet. It is generally not regarded appropriate for a Justice of the United States Supreme Court to fly privately, despite the fact that the expense of doing so might vary widely based on criteria including the type of aircraft, the distance traveled, and the length of time spent in the air.

For instance, according to Travel Noire, the hourly rate for small private jet like the Cessna Citation or Phenom 100 might range from $2,000 to $5,000. Larger planes like the Gulfstream G550 or Global Express vary from $6,000 to $12,000 per hour, while midsize jets like the Hawker 800 or Learjet 60 can cost anywhere from $3,500 and $8,000 per hour. Landing fees, fuel surcharges, catering, ground transportation, and taxes are a few other extra expenses that can run into the thousands of dollars.

The Michaela Rose Yacht “gifted trips”

Mr. Crow gave Judge Thomas a pricey trip that included cruising the opulent yacht Michaela Rose around the Indonesian islands. The ship has four staterooms that can hold up to eight people, and this voyage was reportedly valued at well over $500,000 by ProPublica. There are two twin rooms, a VIP cabin, and a master suite among the accommodations. The Rose boasts a contemporary and extravagant exterior design and offers a variety of outdoor living areas, including a dining area and a roomy lounge area with a Jacuzzi on the main deck and a sunbathing area, a bar, and another dining area on the top deck.

Evie Blanco is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience who was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Queens, New York. She is extremely well-versed in hip-hop music and culture and is always aware of any developments within it. Whether it’s the latest in pop culture, a fascinating foreign destination, a truly amazing new restaurant, or breaking news, she loves to write about it all.

This story was originally published April 10, 2023 at 4:02 PM with the headline "Justice Clarence Thomas accused of luxury living thanks to billionaire GOP megadonor."