Harlan Crow lavished Justice Clarence Thomas with gifts

Harlan Crow, the son of real estate mogul Trammell Crow and former CEO of Crow Holdings, is at the center of an investigation involving Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Thomas has secretly accepted countless gifts from Crow since the two became friends in 1991, shortly after Thomas was nominated to the nation’s highest court by President George H.W. Bush, ProPublica reported in an investigation of financial improprieties in their relationship.

Thomas and his wife, the rightwing activist Ginni Thomas, have traveled around the world annually on Crow’s megayacht and private jet to places like Indonesia, New Zealand, the Greek islands, California and an ultra exclusive enclave in the Adirondack Mountains, staying at private resorts and luxurious estates while receiving the most high-end accommodations. Crow, a staunch Republican supporter and major donor to the party, had a policy against allowing guests to pay, the outlet reported.

Thomas didn’t report gifts, including multiple trips on Crow’s private jet, in violation of federal law, Propublica reported. One three-hour trip in 2016 from Washington, D.C. to New Haven, Connecticut, had an estimated value of $70,000, for example.

Thomas violated ethical codes and a law stemming from Watergate that requires justices, judges, members of Congress and federal officials to disclose most gifts.

“When a justice’s lifestyle is being subsidized by the rich and famous, it absolutely corrodes public trust,” Virginia Canter, a former government ethics lawyer who served both parties, told the outlet. “Quite frankly, it makes my heart sink.”

Justices are generally required to report gifts of $415 or higher. They’re allowed to be hosted with food or lodging, but accepting free travel on private jets and yachts is a deliberate breach of the law, the outlet reported. 

Crow also financed a documentary about Thomas’ life and a statue depicting a beloved former teacher of Thomas.

Thomas has reported some gifts from Crow, such as a $19,000 bible that belonged to Frederick Douglass, the outlet said. 

In a statement, Crow admitted to providing hospitality to Thomas, but said it was no different from how he treats other close friends. The Dallas native added that neither he nor any of the accompanying guests on these trips, attempted to sway Thomas toward taking certain political actions.

Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated Harlan Crow’s corporate affiliation. He is the former CEO and current chairman of the board of Crow Holdings.

—Quinn Donoghue