Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) said real estate developer Harlan Crow was “stonewalling” his committee. The committee is looking into financial transactions and gifts between Crow and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas that Thomas hadn’t disclosed to the public.
“The bottom line is that nobody can expect to get away with waving off Finance Committee oversight, no matter how wealthy or well-connected they may be,” Wyden said in a statement. “I will send a full response to Mr. Crow’s attorney in the coming days.
Wyden received an “obstructive letter” from Crow. The letter reportedly said that Crow refused to testify to the committee.
Michael D. Bopp, Crow’s attorney, wrote a letter to the committee, alleging they only wanted to speak with Crow as a political exercise. He said the investigation into gifts is “attempting to tarnish the reputation of a sitting Supreme Court Justice and his friend of many years, Mr. Crow.”
The news comes after Chief Justice John Roberts refused to speak to the committee, stating such investigations disrupt the balance of powers.
“Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Chief Justice of the United States is exceedingly rare, as one might expect in light of separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence,” Roberts wrote in response.
Thomas received luxurious gifts and engaged in several real estate transactions with the billionaire real estate mogul. Thomas didn’t disclose any of the transactions or vacations in public.
