Litigation

Group Seeks Further Explanation of Thomas? Travel

By Peter Hardin

The advocacy group Common Cause said it was dissatisfied with seemingly conflicting accounts of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’ appearance at a political retreat for well-heeled conservatives, and it asked the court for clarification.

On one hand, a spokeswoman for the high court said Justice Thomas did a “brief drop-by” at the California even in 2008 and gave a talk, a New York Times article reported. At the same time, the justice’s financial disclosure report said the Federalist Society reimbursed him for four days of ?transportation, meals and accommodations? on the weekend of the retreat.

Common Cause requested earlier (see Gavel Grab) an investigation of whether whether Justice Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia  should have stepped aside in voting on the Supreme Court?s landmark Citizens United case. The group said it appeared the justices had participated in political strategy sessions with corporate leaders ?whose political aims were advanced by the decision.?

Full post as published by The Gavel on February 15, 2011 (boomark / email).