On September 23, 2024, the U.S. Judicial Conference’s Committee on Financial Disclosure issued an amended policy providing clarification on the extent to which gifts received at personal residences owned by corporate entities could be deemed “personal hospitality” that judges are exempt from disclosing. See Guide to Judiciary Policy, Vol. 2: Ethics and Judicial Conduct, Pt. D: Financial Disclosure. Pursuant to the policy, U.S. Supreme Court justices and lower court federal judges do not need to disclose when they eat dinner at or stay overnight at someone’s personal residence–even if that residence is owned by a business entity.
The U.S. Supreme Court justices remain in the media spotlight after numerous outlets published stories highlighting the instances of undisclosed trips and gifts. The Court announced the adoption of a formal code of conduct applicable to the justices last year.
