Supreme Court adopts code of ethics amid Clarence Thomas rich friends probe

The Supreme Court announced Monday it will adopt a code of ethics, the first in its history, as reports of undisclosed gifts from mega-rich backers plague Justice Clarence Thomas.

The 14-page code is signed by each of the justices on the Supreme Court.

"The absence of a Code ... has led in recent years to the misunderstanding that the Justices of this Court, unlike all other jurists in this country, regard themselves as unrestricted by any ethics rules," an introductory statement reads.

"To dispel this misunderstanding, we are issuing this Code, which largely represents a codification of principles that we have long regarded as governing our conduct."

Calls for such a code of conduct began with reports that Thomas failed to disclose deluxe vacations, rides on private jets and a “rock star” R.V. from conservative donors who include Harlan Crow and the Koch brothers.

It also arrives after Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, tried to subpoena Crow and conservative activist Leonard Leo about funding justices' luxury travel.

The justices vow to uphold “the integrity and independence” of the court, avoid impropriety, conduct court business fairly and steer clear of extrajudicial activities that detract from the Supreme Court’s dignity.