A recent report in The Washington Post disclosed that conservative legal activist Leonard Leo arranged payments amounting to tens of thousands of dollars for Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. In 2012, Leo directed GOP pollster Kellyanne Conway to bill a nonprofit organization called the Judicial Education Project and pay Ginni Thomas $25,000.
The purpose behind these payments remains unclear; however, Leo stated that it involved "gauging public attitudes and sentiment." He also mentioned that he had always strived to protect the privacy of both Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Ginni.
This revelation is part of a series of reports surfacing lately concerning money and gifts received by the Thomases from outside interests. A conservative activist played an instrumental role in helping Ginni secure consulting work worth nearly $100,000. Leonard Leo ensured her name remained off financial paperwork while his nonprofit filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in a critical voting rights case.
In this controversial case, a 5-4 majority including Justice Clarence Thomas decided to strike down a component of the Voting Rights Act. This latest scandal adds to numerous judicial misconduct allegations against Justice Thomas in recent weeks.
Neither Ginni nor any representatives from the court have responded immediately to requests for comments on these developments.