Another Clarence Thomas Benefactor: Rupert Murdoch

Based on the new ProPublica revelations, let's not omit Rupert Murdoch from the list of Clarence Thomas benefactors.

During his second decade on the court, Thomas’ financial situation appears to have markedly improved. In 2003, he received the first payments of a $1.5 million advance for his memoir, a record-breaking sum for justices at the time.

Who published this book, titled My Grandfather's Son? It was the book publisher Murdoch owned (and still owns), HarperCollins.

The book was published in 2007. A paperback edition is still in print, and an ebook and audiobook became available in 2021, yet the Daily Beast has noted that Thomas failed to declare any royalties from the book for at least fourteen years. He should have received at least a few small payments in that time -- unless Murdoch's company paid him such a large advance on his per-copy royalties that he's never received any additional money, which would mean the company overpaid for the book.

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