US Judges Exempted from Disclosing Stays at Corporate-Owned Homes

Revised ethics rule allows stays at personal residences owned by business entities without public disclosure.

The US Judicial Conference's Committee on Financial Disclosure issued the amended policy on Monday.
The rule change clarifies that judges do not need to disclose stays at personal residences owned by entities, provided they are not commercial properties.
Critics argue the new policy dilutes previous stricter regulations and could exempt past stays by Justice Clarence Thomas at properties linked to Republican donor Harlan Crow.
The updated regulations follow controversies involving undisclosed trips and gifts received by some Supreme Court justices.
The judiciary's rule-making body stated that the revision aims to provide clarity on what constitutes 'personal hospitality' for disclosure purposes.