Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson received four free concert tickets from superstar singer Beyoncé, valued at $3,711.84. The disclosure, which was made public last Friday, does not specify which concert the tickets were for, but Beyoncé was on her "Renaissance World Tour" for much of last year, including a stop near Washington, D.C.
Justice Jackson, who made history in 2022 as the first Black female Supreme Court justice, was among several justices who reported significant gifts and earnings. Her disclosure also highlighted $893,750 in book royalties from Penguin Random House, likely an advance for her forthcoming memoir, due for release in September. Additionally, Jackson reported receiving $12,500 worth of artwork for her chambers at the Supreme Court Building from two artists and "HU Scholars."
The financial forms of all Supreme Court justices, except for Justice Samuel Alito, who requested a 90-day extension, were revealed as part of an annual filing deadline. This year's disclosures have drawn increased scrutiny due to ongoing criticisms regarding the ethical standards of the justices, with a particular focus on Justice Clarence Thomas.
Justice Clarence Thomas finally disclosed two trips from 2019 that were paid for by conservative Texas billionaire Harlan Crow. These trips, which included a July 2019 trip to Bali, Indonesia, and a four-day stay at a private club in California, were previously omitted from his disclosures. Thomas described these omissions as "inadvertent" and added them after consulting with his accountant and ethics counsel. These trips were originally uncovered by ProPublica in an extensive investigation into Thomas's financial entanglements with Crow.
In his defense, Thomas claimed that he was advised the trips were "personal hospitality from close personal friends" and not subject to disclosure. However, justices are required to disclose gifts, investments, and outside income to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. Last year, Thomas began disclosing some of Crow's gifts, including the purchase of three of his family's properties and private jet travel, citing a clarification of judicial ethics policies.
A group of Democratic lawmakers has requested the Judicial Conference, which sets guidelines for the judiciary, to review Thomas' disclosure patterns, suggesting he may have violated the Ethics in Government Act. The Judicial Conference stated in March that these allegations are still under review.
Other justices also reported notable financial activities. Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Ketanji Brown Jackson received six-figure payouts for book deals. Justice Sonia Sotomayor disclosed earning $1,900 for a guest appearance on the animated children's TV show "Alma's Way," where she voiced herself.
These disclosures come at a time when the Supreme Court is under intense scrutiny for its ethical practices. The recent financial reports highlight the justices' diverse income sources and gifts, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest and the need for stricter ethical guidelines.
Justice Jackson's financial disclosure gained particular attention not only for the Beyoncé concert tickets but also for a $1,200 flower display from Oprah and over $6,500 in designer clothing for a magazine photo shoot. These disclosures provide a glimpse into the benefits and earnings that come with the position, alongside their substantial responsibilities and influence on national jurisprudence.
