Press Releases
NEW: Accountable.US Report Uncovers Conflict Of Interest Between Justice Neil Gorsuch and Billionaire Philip Anschutz In Key Environmental Case
Ahead of the new term, Accountable.US released a new report revealing new findings that present a significant conflict of interest for Justice Neil Gorsuch, whose ties to billionaire oil baron Phillip Anschutz and his corporate interests raise serious concerns about his impartiality in an upcoming case– Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colo. The case, in which Anschutz’s own company filed an amicus brief, would likely provide substantial financial benefits to one of Gorsuch’s former business associates, billionaire oil baron Philip F. Anschutz, the head of the Anschutz Exploration Corporation. Gorsuch has previously recused himself from cases involving Anschutz and his companies.
The new research highlights Justice Gorsuch’s financial connections and relationship to Anschutz, raising serious questions about Gorsuch’s impartiality in the case. With the future of critical protections for workers, consumers, and the environment on the line in the Seven County Infrastructure case, this conflict threatens to undermine public trust in the Court’s ability to deliver fair and impartial rulings.
When justices have personal and financial ties to billionaires who stand to gain from the decisions they make, the impartiality of the Court is called into question. The American people deserve a legal system that isn’t influenced by billionaires and corporate actors with special access. The stakes here couldn’t be higher: our environment, our communities, and the trust we place in our judicial system are all on the line. Justice Gorsuch must recuse from Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colo., and restore some semblance of integrity back to our highest Court.”
Caroline Ciccone, Accountable.US President
Americans are sick and tired of repeatedly learning that our Supreme Court justices, after being secretly wined and dined at luxury resorts by billionaires with monetary interests before the Court, refuse to recuse from cases involving the interests of those same billionaires. It will be particularly galling should Justice Gorsuch refuse to recuse when the same billionaire who wined and dined him as a Justice is also a former client of his. Americans deserve better, and it is time for Congress to take action and rein in this arrogant and unaccountable Court,”
Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts
Our Supreme Court has been captured and the American people are stuck dealing with the implications. These new revelations of influence on Justice Gorsuch by billionaire Philip Anschutz are deeply concerning because, in the next few months, the Supreme Court will hear a case about environmental protections. Justice Gorsuch must recuse himself from that case - it is clear he won’t be impartial after pressure from corporate greed and self interest.”
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01)
The Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colo. case is more than just a battle over a single development project. If the Court sides with the corporate interests backing the case, the decision could set a precedent that weakens environmental protections for years to come, giving corporations a clearer path to push forward projects with fewer checks on their environmental impact. With Justice Gorsuch’s deep ties to Anschutz, the Court’s impartiality is being closely watched. The decision in this case could impact not only environmental law but also the integrity of the judiciary itself.
For more information, read our memo and report.
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