In a recent financial disclosure, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson revealed that she received four tickets to a Beyoncé concert last year. The disclosure also showed that she, along with other Supreme Court justices, received substantial payments from book deals in 2023. Jackson’s payment from a book publisher amounted to an impressive $893,750, while Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, and Sonia Sotomayor also reported income from books they have published or have in the works.
Book deals for Supreme Court justices have raised some controversy, as government officials are limited in the amount of outside income they can receive. However, book income does not count towards this cap, allowing justices to earn significant sums from writing. Jackson’s payment came from Penguin Random House, the publisher of her upcoming memoir, while Kavanaugh received $340,000 from the Javelin Group agency for his memoir. Gorsuch reported royalty income of $250,000 from his book.
These book deals are typically paid out in installments, so the full financial impact on the justices will not be fully known for several years. In the past, Justice Amy Coney Barrett received criticism for a $425,000 advance on her book, but she did not report any additional income from that deal in the most recent disclosure. Sotomayor, known for her children’s books, received royalty payments from Random House as per the disclosure.
Apart from book deals, the financial disclosures also revealed gifts and travel received by the justices. Jackson received concert tickets from Beyoncé, valued at nearly $3,700, as well as artwork from various artists. Justice Clarence Thomas reported receiving photo albums worth $2,000 from Terrence and Barbara Giroux. Additionally, the disclosures showed various travel expenses paid for by law schools and legal groups, with justices like Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett traveling for educational programs.
The financial disclosures also shed light on the side gigs and rental income earned by the justices. Gorsuch earned income for teaching at George Mason University, while Kavanaugh taught at Notre Dame Law School. Sotomayor, in addition to her writing, also earned from rental properties and a voice acting role on an animated show. Chief Justice John Roberts reported rental income from properties he partially owns in Maine and Ireland, while Thomas disclosed rental income from a property in Nebraska.
Overall, the financial disclosures provide a glimpse into the additional income streams and gifts received by Supreme Court justices. While book deals and side gigs can contribute significantly to their earnings, the disclosures also reveal their involvement in various other activities. These disclosures are required by law to ensure transparency in the financial dealings of the justices and lower court judges.
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