The Trump Organization has sold the 1997 Cessna 750 Citation X jet used by Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign to GOP donor Mehrdad Moayedi's company, MM Fleet Holdings, LLC, for an undisclosed amount. Moayedi, a real estate magnate and significant Republican donor, has supported various GOP candidates and committees over the years. The jet, valued between $9 million and $10 million, was known for its high speed and was used by Trump to access smaller airports during his campaign.
Tim Dunn, a billionaire GOP donor and influential figure in Texas politics, has sold his oil company, CrownRock L.P., for approximately $12 billion to Occidental Petroleum Corp. The sale comes amidst consolidation in the Permian Basin and Dunn's significant financial support for far-right political movements and candidates. Dunn's political influence has been instrumental in shaping conservative policies in Texas, and with his increased wealth, he is expected to further amplify his ideological agenda within the GOP.
Anton "Tony" Lazzaro, a former GOP donor, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for sex trafficking minors in Minnesota. Lazzaro was found guilty of engaging in "commercial sex acts" with five girls aged 15 and 16 in 2020. Prosecutors likened him to financier Jeffrey Epstein and requested a 30-year sentence, while the defense asked for no more than 10 years. The judge criticized Lazzaro for his lack of remorse and described his exploitation of the girls as a "sex trafficking assembly line." Lazzaro maintained his innocence and claimed the charges were politically motivated. His co-defendant, Gisela Castro Medina, pleaded guilty and testified against him.
Justice Samuel Alito's luxury fishing trip with a wealthy Republican donor with ties to cases before the Supreme Court has sparked new criticisms of the justices' adherence to their ethical obligations. The Supreme Court was already under scrutiny for justices' compliance with ethical standards due to a series of revelations about Justice Clarence Thomas's decades-long relationship with GOP megadonor Harlan Crow. The report revealed that Alito flew to Alaska aboard a private jet for a vacation at the King Salmon Lodge, a luxury fishing resort that charged more than $1,000 per day. Neither the lodging nor travel aboard Singer's jet were included on Alito's annual financial disclosures.
GOP donor and funeral home director Peter G. Moloney has been arrested and charged with assaulting police officers and a member of the media during the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. Moloney, who has donated thousands of dollars to GOP campaigns and committees, used wasp spray to attack police officers and punched and shoved an Associated Press photographer. He is being prosecuted by the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Columbia and is slated to make his initial appearance at a federal courthouse on Long Island.
Senate Democrats are considering inviting Justice Clarence Thomas to a forthcoming hearing on the Supreme Court's ethical standards, rather than subpoenaing him. Democrats on the Judiciary Committee met to discuss details of the hearing, which is still in the planning stages. Judiciary Democrats have already sent a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts urging him to investigate Thomas' undisclosed acceptance of luxury travel and gifts from wealthy GOP donor Harlan Crow. Senators are still hoping that the Supreme Court will take its own action, but the panel is also open to discussing proposals to impose a formal code of ethics on the court.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing renewed scrutiny following the revelation that he sold his childhood home to GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow and never disclosed the sale. While some experts are calling for his resignation or impeachment, others say there is little chance of that happening due to the lack of regulatory oversight and disciplinary measures for Supreme Court justices. However, the controversies may lead to internal policing and behavioral changes within the top court, including the adoption of a code of ethics or subjecting itself to the existing code of ethics that applies to other judges.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas is facing renewed scrutiny following a report that he sold his childhood home to GOP mega-donor Harlan Crow and never disclosed the sale. While some experts are calling for his resignation or impeachment, others say there is little chance of that happening due to the lack of regulatory oversight and disciplinary measures for Supreme Court justices. However, the controversies may lead to internal policing and behavioral changes within the top court.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has reiterated her call to impeach Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas over his trips with a GOP donor. Thomas recently defended his acceptance of lavish vacations, saying he has "no interest" in being influenced by donors. Ocasio-Cortez has previously criticized Thomas for his conservative views and his alleged sexual harassment of Anita Hill during his confirmation hearings.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas did not believe he was required to report luxury trips and vacations he accepted from a billionaire and GOP megadonor, according to a report by ProPublica. Thomas vowed to comply with new guidelines clarifying the type of gifts justices must disclose publicly. The report reignited calls from Democratic lawmakers for Supreme Court justices to adhere to a code of conduct that currently only applies to lower federal judges.
Justice Clarence Thomas accepted several luxury trips paid for by a GOP megadonor, according to a report by ProPublica. The report raises questions about potential ethics violations, as federal judges are required to disclose gifts and travel expenses. Thomas reportedly accepted trips to resorts in Montana and Georgia, as well as a private jet trip to Washington, D.C. The GOP donor, Harlan Crow, has also reportedly donated to Thomas' wife's conservative advocacy group.
Anton “Tony” Lazzaro, a former GOP donor and strategist, has been found guilty on all counts in a federal sex trafficking trial. Lazzaro used his wealth and political status to lure minor girls to his luxury condo in downtown Minneapolis, where he offered them cash in exchange for sex. He admitted to having sex with five minor girls identified as victims in the indictment but denied paying them for sex. Lazzaro’s case sent shockwaves through the Minnesota Republican Party, particularly due to his alleged ties to then-Chair Jennifer Carnahan.
