Clarence Thomas’ huge RV loan was forgiven by wealthy businessman, Senate investigation finds
According to the United States Senate Committee on Finance, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas was essentially given a luxury motorhome worth more than a quarter million dollars by a wealthy businessman.
According to the committee’s report, Anthony Welters lent Thomas $267,230 for a luxury Prevost Marathon motor coach in 1999 at a 7.5% interest rate, then called it even in 2008 with the loan’s principal still intact. Thomas, according to the Senate committee, paid interest on the loan for a short time but “never repaid a substantial portion of the loan.”
The agreement was referenced in a handwritten note from Thomas to Welters, written on Supreme Court stationery and dated Dec. 6, 1999, according to the committee.
“Regular Americans don’t get wealthy friends to forgive huge amounts of debt so they can buy a second home,” the committee concluded. “Justice Thomas should inform the committee exactly how much debt was forgiven and whether he properly reported the loan forgiveness on his tax returns and paid all taxes owed.”
According to The New York Times, the 40-foot vehicle is from “a brand favored by touring rock bands and the super-wealthy,” which prompted the Senate investigation in August. According to Welters, Thomas’ loan was “satisfied” in 2008.
Thomas, 75, was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1991 by former President George H.W. Bush. The conservative justice’s ethics were called into question in April when ProPublica revealed that while serving on the nation’s highest court, Thomas had received dozens of luxury vacations paid for by wealthy supporters.
“During his three decades on the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas has enjoyed steady access to a lifestyle most Americans can only imagine,” according to the report.
Thomas has not responded to the findings of the Senate committee.
