American judge Clarence Thomas, 74, became “famous” internationally last year when he starred in the “delegalization” of abortion in the US.

Last year, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, who federally enshrined the right of women to have an abortion, with Thomas even playing a major role in this decision.

Known for his close ties to the Republican Party, the 74-year-old joined the Supreme Court in 1991 with the blessing of Father Bush.

However, over the past 24 hours, it has been revealed through a posting on the ProPublica website that Dallas-based American billionaire Harlan Crow, a well-known GOP financier, has been offering Clarence Thomas the past two decades as “gifts”, free luxury travel around the world on yachts and private jets. .

In a statement released today, the 74-year-old judge claims that he and Harlan Crow have been close friends for about 25 years and that indeed, as part of their friendship, they spent family vacations together.

However, continuing, he maintained that he had the impression that there was no reason to report these trips. “At the beginning of my time on the Court, I sought the advice of my colleagues and other members of the judiciary and was told that such personal hospitality from close friends who had nothing to do with the Court should not be reported,” he said. . notes Thomas in his ad.

Federal law requires high-ranking officials, including members of the Supreme Court, to submit annual reports of their and their spouse’s finances.

Judges are prohibited from accepting gifts from persons who have open accounts or are connected with justice. However, until recently, the judiciary did not clearly define the exceptions for any gifts that could be considered “personal hospitality”.

The relevant rules have been revised relatively recently. Gifts, such as an overnight stay at a friend’s personal vacation home, are still exempt from reporting requirements. However, the revised rules require reporting cases where judges are housed in commercial properties such as hotels, resorts or other private retreats owned by corporations.

Under the revised rules, judges must also report private jet travel.

In a statement released today, Thomas says the changes have been in effect since March last year and that he will follow them from now on.

According to the Washington Post