politics
Samuel Alito gained up to $2.9m from oil and gas assets since joining supreme court, analysis shows
Critics argue US high court justice should recuse himself from upcoming fossil fuel firms’ climate accountability case
TL;DR
- Justice Samuel Alito has potentially earned between $390,000 and $2.9 million from oil and gas interests since joining the Supreme Court in 2005.
- The findings emerge as the court is set to hear a case where oil companies are seeking to prevent subnational governments from suing fossil fuel producers over climate change impacts.
- Watchdog groups argue that Alito's financial ties to the energy sector, including a mineral interest in Oklahoma property leased to an oil company and past ExxonMobil stock holdings, raise concerns about his impartiality.
- Despite calls for recusal, the Supreme Court has stated that Alito is not required to recuse himself as his direct holdings do not include the specific companies named in the upcoming case.
- Alito has a history of voting in favor of fossil fuel interests and has recused himself from other environmental cases due to direct stock ownership in involved companies.