U.S. Supreme Court involved in first cousin of influence peddling
George Mason University's Scalia Law courts Justices to elevate its brand
U.S. Supreme Court Justices are not dunces. They know everyone who approaches them outside the courtroom comes with ulterior motives. The number of true altruists who have inhabited the planet from the beginning of time can be counted o one hand with many fingers left over.
George Mason University’s Scalia Law had ulterior motives in approaching Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, and Brett Kavanaugh with offers to teach, lecture, or attend events as special guests. It would create at least the appearance of access to power and high-octane intellect that would attract ambitious students and open the wallets of donors. The triumvirate accepted. They are paid not only to teach at the University’s complex in Virginia, but also in exotic venues in Iceland, Italy, and Britain.
The New York Times reported today that in 2017, Justice Gorsuch was asked by Scalia Law to assist in choosing the Italian city to co-teach a course on national security and separation of powers. The options included Padua, a “first tier city in a picturesque setting,” Venice, with its seven-mile-long sandbar known as “Lido,” and Bologna, “Italy’s most prestigious academic city.”
A dedication ceremony was held for Scalia law on October 6, 2016. Seven Justices—all but Chief Justice John Roberts—attended some portion of the activities. Mirabile dictu, Scalia Law collected at least $750,000 in donations that dollar-filled day.
Isn’t it obvious that Scalia Law is swooning over and cosseting the Justices to raise money for itself? How can the Justices be blind to what all the world can see?
The Supreme Court is too important to public confidence in the administration of justice to tolerate or permit Scalia Law’s tarnishing the reputations of the Justices. If you don’t want to limit your life to serving on the Supreme Court, simpliciter, you should search for another line of business.