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The New York Times published a major report Saturday delving into the ethical questions posed by Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his relationship with real estate magnate Harlan Crowe. These recent insinuations on Thomas' ethics are only the latest in a long list that have been leveled at him. It's not unusual for judges to have conflicts of interest, but, as Talking Points Memo put it, "when it comes to ethical complications on the nation's highest court, Clarence Thomas takes the cake." It's worth it to review recent events.

Citizens United and the Koch Brothers. In January of 2008, Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia attended a political retreat run by the Koch brothers. Their subsequent ruling in the Citizens United campaign finance case reportedly benefited the Koch brothers' political activities. In early 2011, the advocacy group Common Cause asked the Justice Department to open an investigation into the propriety of the justices' participation in the case, according to the Times.

Liberty Central and Mrs. Thomas. In January of 2010, Thomas' wife, Virginia Thomas, founded a Tea Party-affiliated group called Liberty Central, the Los Angeles Times reports. The group opposes various progressive causes, including President Obama's health care overhaul, which is an issue that many believe is certain to come before her husband's court. Moreover, as part of her position, she would accept donations from various sources -- including corporations -- as allowed under campaign finance rules loosened by the Supreme Court. Virginia Thomas has since stepped down as head of the organization to take more of a back seat role.