Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito is facing scrutiny from a coalition of watchdog organisations over allegations that his financial interests in oil companies may compromise the integrity of his judicial duties. The groups have called for an investigation by the Senate Judiciary Committee, claiming his involvement in cases related to the oil industry raises significant ethical concerns.
Calls for Investigation
In a letter dated Thursday, a diverse group of advocacy organisations, including the League of Conservation Voters and the Center for Biological Diversity, urged the Senate to probe Alito’s conduct. The justice is the only member of the Supreme Court known to possess stock in energy firms, which the groups argue creates a conflict of interest that undermines public faith in the court’s impartiality.
“His irregular recusal practice in oil and gas industry-related cases is undermining public confidence in the impartiality of the Court,” the letter states. Alito did not recuse himself from a significant case involving oil giants Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil, which has raised eyebrows among legal experts and advocacy groups alike.
The Suncor Case and Alito’s Holdings
The Supreme Court is set to review a petition from Suncor and Exxon that contends federal law restricts subnational governments from suing oil companies over the climate-related impacts of their products. This marks the court’s first foray into such a contentious legal challenge. Notably, Alito’s previous record indicates he recused himself from earlier petitions related to the same case, fuelling concerns about his current involvement.
According to Alito’s last financial disclosure, filed in August 2025, he holds individual stocks valued between £60,000 and £245,000 in ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66, and several other energy companies. Additionally, he has up to £100,000 invested in a Vanguard fund where Exxon is a primary holding.
“These holdings alone should compel Justice Alito to recuse himself from the Boulder case and the parallel state climate deception cases,” the letter asserts, referencing lawsuits from over 70 state and local governments accusing oil companies of misleading the public regarding their environmental impacts.
Alito’s Relationship with Paul Singer
Compounding the concerns over Alito’s stock holdings is his connection to billionaire donor Paul Singer, founder of Elliott Investment Management, which owns a substantial stake in Suncor. Reports have emerged that Alito failed to disclose a private jet trip to Alaska, funded by Singer, in 2008, leading to allegations of ethical lapses.
In a defence published in the Wall Street Journal, Alito argued that he had no obligation to recuse himself from cases involving Singer and rejected claims that his actions created an appearance of impropriety.
“Alito’s decision to reverse course and participate in granting the companies’ most recent petition—when a finding in favour of the companies could directly and indirectly benefit both himself and his billionaire friend—is an indefensible breach of ethical boundaries,” the watchdog groups wrote.
Ethics Code and the Court’s Standards
In 2023, the Supreme Court implemented its first formal ethics code, a move aimed at addressing ongoing scrutiny of its justices. The code advises justices to recuse themselves from cases where their impartiality could be questioned, although it lacks an enforcement mechanism. Critics have labelled it ineffective, arguing it fails to uphold the rigorous standards expected of the highest court in the land.
As the court prepares to rule on the Suncor case, Alito’s financial disclosures for 2026 will be due next year, raising questions about whether he has divested from his oil holdings. The implications of these conflicts extend beyond Alito himself; they could reshape the landscape of oil accountability litigation.
Why it Matters
The potential conflicts of interest surrounding Justice Alito highlight a troubling intersection of finance and judicial impartiality that could undermine public trust in the Supreme Court. As the legal battles over climate change accountability intensify, the integrity of those tasked with upholding the law must remain uncompromised. The outcome of Alito’s involvement in these cases could set a precedent that affects not only the oil industry but also the broader fight against climate change, making transparency and ethical conduct in the judiciary more crucial than ever.