US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on Friday defended himself for not disclosing that he had accepted luxury trips from a Republican megadonor, stating that he was advised at the time that he did not have to report it.

Thomas described Harlan Crow, a conservative businessman, and his wife Kathy, as his family's “dearest friends” in a statement released via the Supreme Court’s public information office.

“As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them,” he said. "Early in my tenure at the Court, I sought guidance from my colleagues and others in the judiciary, and was advised that this sort of personal hospitality from close personal friends, who did not have business before the Court, was not reportable.”

“I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines,” said Thomas.

The explanations came after a report was published Thursday by the nonprofit investigative journalism organization, ProPublica, which said Thomas accepted luxury trips from the Crows for decades.

It revealed that Thomas and his wife, Virginia “Ginni” Thomas had their luxury trips -- including travel on Crow's mega yacht and stays at his lavish properties -- subsidized by the conservative businessman. (Anadolu Agency)

•US Supreme Court