US Supreme Court judge took concert tickets from German aristocrat
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The German aristocrat is known for her ties with conservative, right-wing figures, ranging from politicians to clergymen
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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito poses for the official group photo at the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC on November 30, 2018. (AFP)
US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito accepted $900 concert tickets from German aristocrat Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, known for her conservative views and connections with right-wing activists, according to his annual financial disclosure report.
The princess gifted Alito and his wife tickets to attend the Regensburg Castle festival, an annual music event hosted at her 500-room castle in Bavaria.
Von Thurn und Taxis is notorious for her ties with prominent conservative, right-wing figures. Essentially, she has connections with Steve Bannon, a key supporter and former aide of former President Donald Trump, as well as prominent Catholic figures opposed to Pope Francis.
Bannon has described the Bavaria castle as a potential site for a European network of finishing schools for right-wing conservatives.
Alito met the princess with his colleague Justice Brett Kavanaugh upon her visit to the Supreme Court in 2019, alongside Cardinal Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, who was terminated by Pope Francis as head of the Catholic church's doctrinal body.
US Supreme Court corruption: From Beyonce tickets to Bali hotel stays
In their 2023 annual financial disclosure forms, US Supreme Court justices revealed a range of gifts and substantial earnings, including luxurious accommodations and significant book deals they got their hands on simply due to their senior positions.
Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas reported revising his 2019 financial form to include previously undisclosed "food and lodging" received at a Bali hotel and a California club. Thomas has faced scrutiny for not reporting gifts from businessman and Republican donor Harlan Crow in the past.
Liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reported receiving four Beyoncé concert tickets valued at $3,711.84 and artwork for her chambers worth $12,500.
Alito accepted a complimentary private jet for a luxurious salmon fishing trip from a conservative billionaire who had pending cases before the court.
Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh listed $340,000 in book royalties from Javelin Group and Regnery Publishing, and, according to Axios, he is expected to publish a memoir in the next few years.
The justices' financial disclosures come after they adopted in November their first code of conduct, which was criticized as insufficient when it comes to promoting transparency, as ultimately, the judges themselves get to decide whether they are recused from cases with no overhead authority or enforcement mechanism.
