US Supreme Court Justice Gorsuch recuses himself from environmental case

ONLY AFTER BEING 'OUTED'

Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from an upcoming environmental case scheduled for next week after reviewing the current ethics code, according to a letter sent Wednesday to attorneys involved in the case. Some House Democrats had urged him to recuse. File Photo by Eric Lee/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch recused himself from an upcoming environmental case scheduled for next week after reviewing the current ethics code, according to a letter sent to attorneys involved in the case.

The brief letter dated Wednesday from law clerk Scott S. Harris was posted on the Supreme Court website.

"I am writing to inform you that, consistent with the Code of Conduct for Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, Justice Gorsuch has determined that he will not continue to participate in this case," Harris wrote.

The case is Seven County Infrastructure Coalition vs. Eagle County, Colo.

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., who wrote a letter signed by other House Democrats urging Gorsuch's recusal, hailed the decision to recuse.

"I applaud Justice Gorsuch for doing the right and honorable thing," Johnson said in a statement. "It is important that the court show the public that it is not in the pocket of billionaire benefactors."

Thirteen House Democrats signed the letter Johnson wrote Gorsuch on Nov. 20 urging him to recuse himself from the case.

"Recent reporting exposed that you have a serious and obvious conflict of interest that demands your recusal," the letter said. "In your prior career as a corporate lawyer, you were the long-time attorney for Denver-based billionaire Philip F. Anschutz and his network of companies for many years."

The Democratic House members said Anschutz "has a direct financial interest in the outcome of Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, Colo."

The letter said Anschutz lobbied Congress and the George W. Bush administration for Gorsuch to be appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit.

Anschutz also bankrolls the right-wing special interest groups the Federalist Society and the Heritage Foundation, according to the Democrat House members who signed the letter.

It was the Federalist Society that put Gorsuch on a list used by then-president Donald Trump to elevate Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.

Anschutz Exploration Corp. filed a brief in the case in question.

Supreme Court Justice ethics came under scrutiny after Justice Clarence Thomas' acceptance of undisclosed valuable free vacations and trips from billionaire and GOP donor Harlan Crow were revealed by Pro Publica reporting.

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., who wrote the letter signed by other House Democrats urging Gorsuch's recusal, hailed the decision to recuse.

"I applaud Justice Gorsuch for doing the right and honorable thing," Johnson said in a statement. "It is important that the court show the public that it is not in the pocket of billionaire benefactors."

The other Supreme Court Justices will hear oral arguments in the case Tuesday.

At issue in the case is whether environmental impacts of oil production should be considered when deciding to build a railway line for oil transportation in Utah.