Republican Texas billionaire may soon face a subpoena regarding his association with conservative Supreme Court as the Judiciary Committee intensifies its ethics investigation into the highest court.
Democratic Senators (Illinois), the panel chair, and (Rhode Island), who heads a subcommittee on federal courts, oversight, agency action, and federal rights, have announced their intention to vote on authorizing subpoenas for Crow, conservative legal activist Leonard Leo, and GOP donor Robin Arkley II.
Durbin and Whitehouse stated that the three men have either refused to comply or have offered limited information in response to previous requests for cooperation, which falls far short of what the committee requires.
They expressed concern over the justices accepting undisclosed gifts, allowing their wealthy benefactors and others with business before the Court to gain private access without public scrutiny. They stressed the need to fully understand how individuals with interests before the Court utilize undisclosed gifts to access the justices.
According to ProPublica, Leo was involved in organizing a luxury fishing vacation for Justice Samuel Alito in 2008, while Arkley II provided free lodging for the trip.
Crow, on the other hand, reportedly facilitated a real estate deal for Thomas, funded several luxury vacations for the justice, and even paid private school tuition for Thomas’s grandnephew.
While Leo and Arkley II have consistently refused to cooperate, Crow has only agreed to fulfill a small portion of the committee’s requests, which Durbin and Whitehouse consider wholly inadequate.
Crow responded to the subpoena vote announcement, stating that it is merely an attempt to undermine a sitting Supreme Court Justice for ideological and political purposes, according to The Associated Press.
Chief Justice John Roberts has thus far ignored calls for increased oversight for the justices.
Durbin and Whitehouse noted that adopting a binding code of conduct could resolve the issue, but until the Chief Justice takes action, the Judiciary Committee will continue its efforts.
However, three justices, including Amy Coney Barrett, have expressed support for an ethics code for the court, believing it would improve public understanding of their activities.
Although the Judiciary Committee advanced a bill during the summer that would require justices to adhere to ethics rules and establish a process for addressing potential violations of the code of conduct, it is unlikely to pass due to opposition from the GOP.
