Justices Thomas, Scalia Traveled To Palm Springs On Conservative Group’s Dime

Two Supreme Court justices have clarified their past relationship with Koch Industries, the energy company that has been criticized by liberal groups for secretive and excessive sway on public policymakers and events.

Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas acknowledged Thursday that they each spoke at a private dinner in recent years that was hosted by Charles Koch, a Kansas oil man who is one of Koch Industries’ two principal owners, and his wife.

Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg says both justices’ travel and accommodations were paid by the Federalist Society, a conservative legal organization.

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Scalia spoke on international law at a January 2007 dinner in the Palm Springs, Calif., area, while Thomas discussed his memoir when he spoke the following year at the same location.