Senate Democrats demand Chief Justice Roberts investigate Thomas' gifts from billionaire

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have written a letter to Chief Justice John Roberts, demanding he open an investigation into Justice Clarence Thomas's gifts from his billionaire friend, as they announced their own hearing into court ethics.

Calling the gifts 'plainly inconsistent' with the ethical standards Americans expect of 'any person in a position of public trust,' the letter, led by Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin, urged the Republican-appointed chief justice to 'immediately' open an investigation to ensure Thomas's behavior isn't repeated. 

Durbin wrote his committee will hold a hearing 'in the coming days,' adding: 'If the Court does not resolve this issue on its own, the Committee will consider legislation to resolve it.' 

Some Democrats have called on the high court to adopt a formal code of ethics - it is currently the only court in the federal judiciary that does not have one for its nine members.

The letter noted there had been call for a code of ethics over reporting on Thomas's gifts from real estate billionaire Harlan Crow in 2011, which Roberts 'dismissed' at the time. 

Thomas, who has been showered with exotic vacations and luxurious gifts by the Republican megadonor, made a rare statement last week insisting colleagues and 'others in the judiciary' had told him such 'personal hospitality' was allowable. 

Crow called Thomas a dear friend, and got to know him after he joined the Supreme Court. Crow is a Dallas-based real estate magnate

Thomas flew on Crow's private jet, sailed around the world on his yacht and stayed at his resort in the Adirondacks nearly every summer for around two decades, according to a Pro Publica report released Thursday

Thomas flew on Crow's private jet, sailed around the world on his yacht and stayed at his resort in the Adirondacks nearly every summer for around two decades, according to a Pro Publica report released Thursday. 

Monday's letter turns up the heat on Roberts. Some have even called on the 74-year-old justice to resign. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib have called for his impeachment. 

Crow has donated millions to Republican campaigns and conservative groups. He has also presented Thomas with a series of peculiar gifts, including an Abraham Lincoln bust and a $19,000 bible that once belonging to Frederick Douglass. 

Thomas did not disclose trips to Indonesia, New Zealand and Sonoma, California, that he took with Crow - and which he would not have been able to afford on his $285,000-a-year salary. 

Thomas takes annual trips to Topridge, Crow's Adirondacks estate

The retreat offers opportunities for boat rides and fishing, and features exotic furnishings

Crow issued a lengthy statement in response to the revelations about his travels with Thomas.

'My wife Kathy and I have been friends with Justice Thomas and his wife Ginni since 1996. We are very dear friends,' he said. 

'The hospitality we have extended to the Thomases over the years is no different from the hospitality we have extended to our many other dear friends,' he said. 

'Justice Thomas and Ginni never asked for any of this hospitality. We have never asked about a pending or lower court case, and Justice Thomas has never discussed one, he continued. 

Crow called the trips 'gatherings of friends.'