Fix the Court's 'Political Hit Job' on Justice Thomas: Attorney Slams 'Multiple Errors and Deceptions'

Attorney Mark Paoletta, a longtime friend of Justice Clarence Thomas, has penned a scathing opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal, accusing Fix the Court of publishing a report about gifts received by Thomas that is riddled with "errors and deceptions."

As the Supreme Court's term nears its end, Justice Clarence Thomas has once again become a prime target for his detractors, including the nonpartisan organization Fix the Court. However, a recent report released by Fix the Court has come under heavy fire from Thomas's ally, attorney Mark Paoletta, who accuses the organization of engaging in a "political hit job."

In an opinion piece published in the Wall Street Journal, Paoletta tore into Fix the Court's report, which alleges that Justice Thomas has received almost $4.2 million in gifts and "likely gifts" between 2004 and 2023. Paoletta argues that this figure is wildly inflated due to the group's "inconsistent standard for what constitutes a 'gift.'"

Fix the Court's 'Political Hit Job' on Justice Thomas: Attorney Slams 'Multiple Errors and Deceptions'

One such example cited by Paoletta is Fix the Court's inclusion of Justice Thomas's trips and vacations with friends as "gifts." According to Paoletta, the group has conveniently ignored similar trips taken by other justices, making the comparison unfair.

Paoletta also takes issue with Fix the Court's use of "likely but not confirmed gifts" to inflate Justice Thomas's numbers. While the group imputes nearly $1.8 million in such gifts to Thomas, it identifies none for any other justice.

Fix the Court's 'Political Hit Job' on Justice Thomas: Attorney Slams 'Multiple Errors and Deceptions'

Paoletta further criticizes Fix the Court for its methodology, which he claims is excessively generous in its valuations of gifts. For instance, the group has estimated the value of a vacation taken by Justice Thomas and his wife to Indonesia at $500,000, assuming that Thomas would have chartered the yacht and plane used for the trip. However, Paoletta argues that this valuation is unrealistic as Justice Thomas was merely a guest on the trip along with 14 other passengers.

Moreover, Paoletta alleges that Fix the Court has based much of its information on reports by ProPublica, which he has consistently criticized for its biased coverage of Justice Thomas. Paoletta specifically cites ProPublica's reporting on a trip taken by Thomas to the Bahamas, which he claims has been discredited by subsequent revelations.

Fix the Court's 'Political Hit Job' on Justice Thomas: Attorney Slams 'Multiple Errors and Deceptions'

Fix the Court has defended its report, maintaining that its findings are based on undisputed facts. However, Paoletta's critique has raised serious questions about the organization's methodology and motives, particularly given its history of partisan attacks on Justice Thomas.

ProPublica has also defended its reporting, but its credibility has been damaged by its past missteps and the fact that it was used as a source by Fix the Court.

Fix the Court's 'Political Hit Job' on Justice Thomas: Attorney Slams 'Multiple Errors and Deceptions'

The ongoing controversy over Justice Thomas's gifts highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in judicial reporting. It also underscores the need to scrutinize the methods and motives of organizations that claim to promote objectivity and nonpartisanship.