How can Thomas see no wrong in taking gifts worth millions? | READER COMMENTARY

I was interested to read that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is now disclosing previous gifts from mega-donor Harlan Crow (“Thomas acknowledges more travel paid for by Harlan Crow. Colleagues report six-figure book payments,” June 7). According to newly released reports, Thomas has accepted gifts worth at least $2.4 million over the past 20 years including an Indonesian vacation on a luxury yacht paid for by Crow.

Twenty years ago when I was vice-president for medical affairs at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, we instituted a compliance policy to avoid conflicts of interest by all medical staff. Our policy was based on the premise that even small gifts may carry the expectation of favors in return. Even today, the only allowable gifts are those that are edible or usable at work, and no gifts are allowed from vendors or other persons doing business with the hospital.

For Justice Thomas to think he can accept millions of dollars in gifts from an individual who may have a case of interest before the court and not be influenced by these gifts indicates an unbelievable lapse in ethical judgment. The weak ethics code enacted by the Supreme Court last year does not tighten financial disclosure rules and is largely unenforceable. What is needed is real financial transparency and recusal whenever a conflict of interest creates the appearance of bias.

— Beryl Rosenstein, Pikesville

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