US judicial body rejects request to refer Clarence Thomas to justice department

Request was made after Thomas failed to disclose luxury trips by Texas businessman and GOP donor Harlan Crow

A judicial policymaking body on Thursday rejected a request by Democratic lawmakers to refer the conservative US supreme court Justice Clarence Thomas to the Department of Justice to examine claims that he failed to disclose gifts and travel provided by a wealthy benefactor.

The secretary to the US judicial conference, the federal judiciary's top policymaking body, pointed at amendments Thomas had made to his annual financial disclosure reports for the decision.