The Business Of The Court

Chief Justice Willliam H. Rehnquist's robe with four stripes on each sleeve became familiar to many Americans during last year's Senate impeachment trial of President Clinton. It belongs to the Smithsonian Institution now.

In his financial disclosure report for 1999, Rehnquist indicated that the robe had been appraised by Sotheby's at $30,000. The chief justice did not respond when asked whether he had taken a tax deduction for the donation.

Justice Clarence Thomas received an $800 commemorative jacket and traveled free by private plane when he served as grand marshal of the 1999 Daytona 500 auto race, according to his report.

And Justice Sandra Day O'Connor received a crystal piece and china rose - estimated value $500 - when she was honored by the National First Ladies' Library.

Federal judges, members of Congress and other high-ranking government officials are required to file annual reports. The federal law requires only broad ranges of worth for assets and exempts personal property.

A majority of the highest court's members were millionaires as the year began, led by Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who estimated her family's wealth at between $7.4 million and $33.1 million. Ginsburg and her lawyer husband, Martin, included six investments between $1 and $5 million each.

Four other justices - O'Connor, Stephen G. Breyer, John Paul Stevens and David H. Souter - held investments worth over $1 million, and Rehnquist may have joined the court's millionaires club as well. Justice Antonin Scalia sold stock during the year and dropped far below the million-dollar level.

O'Connor's report reflected the most varied investment portfolio, state bonds and Treasury notes to holdings in pharmaceutical and communications companies. Her ownership of AT&T and MCI Worldcom stock, among others, has forced O'Connor to disqualify herself from cases in recent years.

Rehnquist valued his assets at between $525,000 and $1.3 million.

Scalia's reported assets fell to $145,000 to $535,000, down from $645,000 to $1.5 million the previous year. He sold off significant amounts of stock in 1999.

Bringing up the rear were Justices Anthony M. Kennedy ($65,000 to $195,000) and Clarence Thomas ($150,000 to $410,000).

Rehnquist's annual salary is $181,400; the eight other Supreme Court members receive $173,600.

By RICHARD CARELLI
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