Posted on 07/10/2018 1:27:03 PM PDT by NohSpinZone
https://abovethelaw.com/2013/06/who-is-the-richest-supreme-court-justice/
We said that Ginsburg appears to be the wealthiest justice because of two important caveats: (1) the ambiguity introduced by the reporting of asset values in ranges, as opposed to exact amounts, and (2) the exclusion of primary residences. (RBG’s actual net worth could be as low as $4.4 million and SGB’s could be as low as $5 million, excluding primary residences.)
Here are how the nine justices stack up in terms of their net-worth ranges (ordered by the top of the range):
1. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: $4.4 million to $18.1 million
Justice Ginsburg often tops the list of most affluent justices. Her late husband, Martin Ginsburg, was a renowned tax lawyer who practiced at major Biglaw firms. But note that RBG’s fortune isn’t what it once was: just three years ago, she listed assets worth as much as $45 million, and now she tops out at $18.1 million. Perhaps the Ginsburg gave money away — to family, or to charities — after Marty Ginsburg passed away.
2. Stephen G. Breyer: $5 million to $17.1 million
Justice Breyer spent most of his pre-robescent career in government or academia, so he didn’t have the chance to make Biglaw bucks. His wealth is largely due to his wife, Joanna Freda Hare, who is British aristocracy. His net worth has probably increased since 2006, when it ranged between $4.1 million to $15.4 million (but note that, because of the ranges, we can’t be sure of any increase).
(Props to Justice Ginsburg and Justice Breyer on marrying well. The conservatives haven’t quite mastered that tactic, as we’ll see below.)
3. Sonia Sotomayor: $1.7 million to $10.3 million
Her net worth figure doesn’t reflect her primary residence, a $660,000 condominium in D.C.’s trendy U Street corridor. But it does include her former home in New York, an apartment in Greenwich Village that generates rental income. That apartment is listed in the $1 million to $5 million range (but is probably closer to $1 million, meaning that the Wise Latina’s actual worth is probably well below $10 million).
4. John G. Roberts Jr.: $2.8 million to $6.6 million
The Chief Justice was able to build up his net worth due to some time in private practice, at Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells). And his high-powered wife, Jane Sullivan Roberts, is a leading legal recruiter at Major, Lindsey & Africa. Chief Justice Roberts is an avid investor, with holdings in technology and telecommunications stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. His net worth range has moved up a bit from 2006, when it clocked in at $2.2 million to $5.9 million.
5. Antonin Scalia: $1.9 million to $4.2 million
Like many a conservative, Justice Scalia is a gold bug, with investments in gold-related securities worth between $80,000 and $215,000, and a firearms fan — he accepted a gift of a $1,000 shotgun from the National Wild Turkey Federation. His total net worth is definitely higher now than it was in 2006, when it ranged between $700,000 and $1.6 million.
6. Elena Kagan: $815,000 to $2.1 million
I’d guess that Lady Kaga’s net worth is closer to the high end of the range. At the time of her Supreme Court nomination, she was already worth about $1.8 million. (Query whether she has purchased a primary residence in the interim; the value of that residence would not be reflected in her financial disclosure.)
7. Clarence Thomas: $715,000 to $1.8 million
Like fellow conservative Scalia, Thomas is a fan of gold, with investments in gold- and silver-related securities worth between $60,000 and $200,000. His net worth is up significantly since 2006, when it ranged between $150,000 and $400,000. Perhaps some of the increase is due to sales of his own bestselling memoir, My Grandfather’s Son (affiliate link), for which he received a $1.5 million advance.
8. Samuel A. Alito Jr.: $380,000 to $1.1 million (based on his 2011 report; he has sought an extension as to 2012)
Why has Justice Alito’s net worth taken a tumble? Back in 2006, he was worth between $650,000 and $1.7 million. (I suspect that some of this divergence may be due to transactions involving primary residences, which are excluded from these figures.)
9. Anthony M. Kennedy: $330,000 to $700,000
Poor Justice Kennedy. The most powerful member of the Court is also the poorest. Maybe someday he’ll write a tell-all memoir about his life as the swing justice and improve his balance sheet. On the bright side, his net worth (1) has climbed a lot since 2006, when it ranged between $65,000 and $200,000 or so, and (2) doesn’t include the value of his million-dollar home.
Congratulations to the justices on their robust net worths. They don’t earn huge sums in their current positions — $223,500 a year for Chief Justice Roberts, and $213,900 a year for each of the associate justices — and they could earn much more on the speaking circuit or at private law firms (where their outgoing law clerks get welcomed with gigantic signing bonuses).
So it’s nice to know that, despite their relatively modest pay, the justices are all right. They’ve sacrificed to serve our country, to be sure, but they can still afford to wear clothing underneath their robes.
And this is news...why?
He’s got his kids in Catholic school, which is no longer a cheap proposition. And as a dedicated Catholic family, they probably use their envelopes every Sunday.
Not sure if wife has job outside the home.
I think he'll be ok. He could serve on the bench for 20 years, retire, write his memoirs, teach.....etc.
“less than $15,000 in Vanguard funds within a 401(k) “
Stands to reason considering he would be getting a Judge’s pension on retirement since 2006. While the 401 is nice to have as an additional retirement fund it certainly is not necessary given the generous Judges’s pension.
Probably everything in Trust for wife and kids...but still not rich....just thinking ahead.
I recently came across this from Leno’s YouTube stuff:
https://youtube.com/watch?v=p4frzQdh6GE
The money quote, on the hours to build the car (3000 over 15 months): “... so when you do the math on that it’s really a serious medical condition. ...”
I think they are a very happy and well-adjusted family. That's worth more than all the money in the world.
He should have run for congress. He could have made a fortune.
I don’t think he has to show all of his financial interests.
But yes, his savings and 401K are a bit thin.
As David Asman said, “He’s either very stupid — which he isn’t — or very honest.” Most people in his position have money “magically” appear over the years. Apparently he walked the straight and narrow.
How much time did he practice in the private sector before going into government and then becoming a judge? Private practice is where he's pile up the big money, but he was on the Ken Starr team and then in the Bush Administration. He became a judge from there. The Starr connection runs back about 20 years. He's still relatively young. He may not have had many years in private practice. Was he even a partner in one of the big firms, or did he go into government before that happened?
I must acknowledge that, at least per the estate sales people I’ve talked to, it seems like lawyers seldom have much in the way of tools ... but then again I’m always looking for mainly woodworking tools which is a whole different category from automotive tools.
If he has his Federal judicial pension, and has been socking money away for his kids’ education in their own college funds, and has been paying down his mortgage — I wouldn’t be too worried. He’s probably on more solid financial footing than most Americans his age.
What are the two happiest days in the life of a boat owner?
The day he buys his boat, and the day he sells it.
He borrowed from his TSP account? (for those that have never worked for the federal government that is the retirement savings account you can contribute into and the feds match up to 5%). Gee, he must really be as poor as a church mouse, borrowing from your TSP really is a last resort type thing. I can officially say I'm wealthier than a Supreme Court Justice nominee, and I'm not wealthy....
Being a member of Congress is definitely more lucrative than being on the Supreme Court.
...but then Congress is pretty sleazy, and it’s members are way more likely than not to be on the take.
That’s not a whole lot. Maybe no bribes in his past. Can’t be bought (Just like the Donald).
Not sayin the courts can be bought...right Alcee?
Hastings, Google it.
5.56mm
That was my thought - it’s not as if he has to worry about his retirement.
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