Thomas the Grifting Engine: Now With Even More Grifting

During his three decades on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has enjoyed steady access to a lifestyle most Americans can only imagine. A cadre of industry titans and ultrawealthy executives have treated him to far-flung vacations aboard their yachts, ushered him into the premium suites at sporting events and sent their private jets to fetch him — including, on more than one occasion, an entire 737. It’s a stream of luxury that is both more extensive and from a wider circle than has been previously understood.

Like clockwork, Thomas’ leisure activities have been underwritten by benefactors who share the ideology that drives his jurisprudence. Their gifts include:

At least 38 destination vacations, including a previously unreported voyage on a yacht around the Bahamas; 26 private jet flights, plus an additional eight by helicopter; a dozen VIP passes to professional and college sporting events, typically perched in the skybox; two stays at luxury resorts in Florida and Jamaica; and one standing invitation to an uber-exclusive golf club overlooking the Atlantic coast.

Anybody who seriously believes that a billionaire would send his private 737 to ferry someone who isn't a Supreme Court justice and expect nothing in return has rocks for brains. Those two flights alone would have cost over a quarter-mil if he had chartered one.

Any other Federal judge would be in seriously hot water for accepting one luxury vacation, let alone thirty-eight of them, along with private jet travel.

Or for "buying" a $267,000 RV with a "loan" from another rich asshole buddy.

But, as we know, the rules are different for the Holy and Sacred Nine.