first, like @Scientist says: you shouldn’t be hanging out socially with people arguing cases before you. that’s unethical. nor, should they be paying for your christmas party, that too is unethical
however, even that presupposes that’s what this was. why on earth would we believe that. we have no accounting of this money, no disclosure, and only thomas and his office to trust. meanwhile, he has already proven himself untrustworthy and has already broken the law in other instances
lastly, judges are required to avoid the appearance of conflicts - and he’s definitely f’d that up too.
he’s not trustworthy, and he’s obviously influenced by his friends. this is just more evidence of that
