Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas defended not disclosing that he accepted "luxury trips" and other gifts from a Republican mega-donor in a statement Friday.

The Supreme Court justice said in a joint statement with wife Ginni Thomas that he "was advised" that he did not have to disclose the trips.

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"Harlan and Kathy Crow are among our dearest friends, and we have been friends for over twenty-five years. As friends do, we have joined them on a number of family trips during the more than quarter century we have known them," the statement read. "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."

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"I have endeavored to follow that counsel throughout my tenure, and have always sought to comply with the disclosure guidelines," it continued. "These guidelines are now being changed, as the committee of the Judicial Conference responsible for financial disclosure for the entire federal judiciary just this past month announced new guidance. And, it is, of course, my intent to follow this guidance in the future."