Judge Clarence Thomas said Friday that he will reveal free trips he made with Harlan Crow in the future

e

a prominent Republican donor.

In response to ProPublica’s report on his lavish travel paid for by Crow, Thomas said he understood that “this kind of personal hospitality from close personal friends” who had no business in court was exempt from disclosure requirements.

Last month, however, the federal judiciary approved new rules

not prohibit

private jet travel paid for by others

and say it

must be disclosed.

Thomas said he will follow these guidelines going forward.

“Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our best friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years,” Thomas said in a statement. “As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family outings during the more than quarter century that we have known them. Early in my tenure on the Court, I sought advice from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was told that “This kind of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who had no business in court, was unreportable. I have tried to follow that advice throughout my tenure and have always tried to comply with disclosure guidelines. These guidelines are now subject to change, as the Judicial Conference committee responsible for financial disclosure for the entire federal judiciary announced new guidelines last month. And of course it is my intention to follow these guidelines in the future.”