Scalia's Texas getaway was a gift from ranch owner who received favorable Supreme Court result

Did Scalia receive favorable treatment before his death?
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Justice Antonin Scalia was staying at the luxurious Cibolo Creek Ranch over the weekend when he passed away — a relaxing getaway that is now raising some questions as to why he was in West Texas, and who had paid for the trip.

According to The Washington Post, the 30,000-acre ranch is owned by John B. Poindexter, who apparently invited Scalia to stay on the property at no cost to him. "I did not pay for the Justice's trip to Cibolo Creek Ranch. He was an invited guest, along with a friend, just like 35 others," Poindexter told The Washington Post. However, Poindexter did not elaborate on if he had paid for Scalia's charter flight, or if Scalia had visited the ranch before.

Complicating matters, one of Poindexter's companies reportedly received a favorable result from the Supreme Court last year; the manufacturing company was involved in an age discrimination lawsuit that the Supreme Court declined to hear.

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"The Justice was treated no differently by me, as no one was charged for activities, room and board, beverages, etc. That is a 22-year policy," Poindexter wrote in an email.

While Poindexter declined to call Scalia a friend, the specifics of their relationship are not immediately known.

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Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.