In a recent disclosure, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas revealed a trip he took to Indonesia in 2019 that was paid for by prominent GOP donor Harlan Crow. The vacation, which took place in Bali, garnered significant attention last year when it was first reported by ProPublica, sparking a debate about justices accepting luxurious travel.

Although the original report shed light on Thomas' trip, it was not formally disclosed until now. Thomas included a note in his annual financial disclosure, indicating that Harlan and Kathy Crow were the source of his trip to Bali in July 2019. The couple covered expenses for "food and lodging," but no specific value was provided for the travel.

Furthermore, Thomas also acknowledged another trip funded by the Crows to a private club in Monte Rio, California, during the same month. These annual financial disclosures, required by law, offer only a glimpse into the justices' finances. However, in recent years, they have gained significant attention due to ethical controversies surrounding private jet travel, luxury vacations, and lucrative book deals.

Among the conservative wing of the Supreme Court, Thomas and Samuel Alito have faced particular scrutiny. Thomas has faced criticism for accepting multiple trips from Crow, while Alito was scrutinized for attending a luxury fishing trip on a conservative hedge fund manager's private jet. Many of these trips were initially undisclosed, but last year, the governing body of the judicial branch introduced tighter rules to address such matters.

Under the new rules, justices can no longer claim "personal hospitality" to withhold disclosure of certain trips, including those involving private jet travel. Thomas, however, categorized the travel as "personal hospitality" from his "close personal friends." Justices and judges are now required to make a "good faith estimate of the fair market value" of any undisclosed travel if the exact value is not readily available.

In addition to these developments, the latest financial disclosures covering the year 2023 are the first to be released since the Supreme Court adopted a code of conduct last fall. The code of conduct was implemented in response to the travel scandals and was unanimously embraced by all nine justices. Despite its adoption, the code has faced skepticism from ethics experts and some Democratic lawmakers due to the absence of an enforcement mechanism.

These disclosures shed light on the financials of the justices and lower court judges, providing an overview of their outside income, gifts, and travel. While controversy and skepticism surround the system, it remains crucial to ensure transparency and integrity within the highest judicial body in the land.