Thomas is a genuinely good man. There are so few left in our government. Of course they would go after him.

They want him gone. To be fair he was appointed by a Bush so... do with that what you want. I want to believe he is one of the few good guys, I do, but I have to leave the door open for the possibility of the opposite.

And what about all the 'gifts' politicians get? All of Congress is worse.

After nearly 30 years in Government service, there are rules about accepting any gifts or services that have a monetary amount or equivalent greater than $20. Any gift that exceeds this amount is reportable. There are some exceptions that apply to friendships that pre-existed your service or are long standing. For an example, I have worked within the DoD since 1993. I work with very close friends for over 20 years that I commonly help with house remodeling and projects. We also trade lunches and dinners and occasionally go on vacations. Sometimes it is a shared expense, other times it is gift like. I am preparing to retire and join the civilian contractor sector, but will be doing virtually all the same duties and will be working with my friends. We spoke to legal about how our relationships might have to change because of a change in employment. We were given a letter that deatiled that the past 20 years of behavior is acceptable in the future, as long as it meets existing precedent. If I increase my services or gifts to levels beyond what pre-exist, it will be construed as reportable gifts. If Justice Thomas has had a long term relationship with a wealthy friend before he gained prominence and the pre-existing relationship included gifts of joint vacations, then there should be no appearance of impropriety. Keep in mind that if there was a Quid pro quo condition where I was gaining advantage from my friends, then there is grounds for investigation and misconduct.

Thomas said in a statement released by the Supreme Court’s public information office on April 7 that Harlan Crow, and his wife, Kathy Crow, have been friends with Thomas and his wife “for over twenty-five years.”

“As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them,” the justice said.

“Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.

“I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines. These guidelines are now being changed, as the committee of the Judicial Conference responsible for financial disclosure for the entire federal judiciary just this past month announced new guidance.

“And, it is, of course, my intent to follow this guidance in the future,” Thomas said.

Of course they don't mention he volunteers at Arlington cemetery.