Watchdogs ask Senate to review Alito’s oil stock holdings

A coalition of U.S. government watchdog organizations on Thursday asked the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito over alleged ethics concerns tied to his investments in oil and energy companies.

The groups argued that Alito’s ownership of energy-related holdings, and his participation in some industry-related cases, could create conflicts of interest. They pointed to Supreme Court recusal standards adopted in 2023, which advise justices to step aside when their impartiality could reasonably be questioned.

The request comes as scrutiny of Supreme Court ethics and disclosure practices has intensified in recent years.

In a letter to the committee, the coalition cited Alito’s most recent financial disclosure filing, submitted in August 2024, which reported holdings in individual oil and energy stocks valued between $60,007 and $245,000. The letter listed companies including ConocoPhillips and Phillips66. It also said Alito reported up to $100,000 invested in a Vanguard fund in which Exxon is a major holding.

The groups focused on the Supreme Court’s February decision to hear a case brought by Suncor Energy and Exxon. They said Alito did not recuse himself from consideration of that case despite the reported financial interests. The letter contrasted that with Alito’s recusal from a similar petition brought by the same companies in 2023.

Case participation and recusal questions

The watchdog organizations argued that Alito’s participation in oil-related cases could undermine public confidence in the Court’s impartiality if rulings might benefit the industry and, indirectly, his reported investments. The letter urged the Senate Judiciary Committee to examine whether the justice’s actions align with the Court’s ethics guidance.

The Supreme Court adopted its first formal ethics code in 2023. The code advises justices to recuse themselves when their impartiality might reasonably be questioned, but it does not include an enforcement mechanism. It also allows justices to remain on cases if they believe their participation is necessary to resolve the matter.

Past travel disclosure cited in the letter

The letter also cited a previously undisclosed private jet trip taken by Alito in 2008 that was paid for by Republican donor Paul Singer. Singer’s hedge fund, Elliott Investment Management, holds more than $2.3 billion in Suncor shares, according to the letter. The watchdogs said the relationship raises additional questions about potential conflicts connected to cases involving companies in which Singer has a significant stake.

The groups’ request does not itself establish that Alito violated any rule, but it asks lawmakers to review whether his disclosures and participation in related cases meet the standards set out in the Court’s ethics code.

The committee has not publicly responded to the letter, and the watchdogs did not specify a timeline for any action. The next development to watch is whether the Senate Judiciary Committee seeks information from the Court or Alito, and whether any additional disclosures clarify the scope of his holdings.