Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's Staff Promotes Book Sales and Ethical Dilemmas

Documents obtained by The Associated Press reveal that Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's staff has frequently urged public institutions, such as colleges and libraries, to purchase her books for events she attends, resulting in at least $3.7 million in earnings for her since joining the court in 2009. The documents highlight instances of taxpayer-funded court staff engaging in activities that would be prohibited for members of Congress and the executive branch, raising ethical concerns. While Sotomayor's publisher, Penguin Random House, has also played a role in organizing her book events, the Supreme Court lacks a formal code of conduct, allowing the justices to largely write and enforce their own rules. Critics argue that such promotional efforts risk overshadowing the institution itself and damaging the court's public standing.