EXCLUSIVE: Supreme Ethics Problem?

Jan. 23, 2006 — -- As John Roberts was being sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, his colleague Justice Antonin Scalia was playing tennis at a legal seminar in Colorado courtesy of the conservative legal group, the Federalist Society. According to the invitation also obtained by ABC News, members were invited for "a rare opportunity to spend time both socially and intellectually" with Justice Scalia.

For the full report, watch "Nightline" at 11:35 p.m. ET.

As lobbying scandals consume Capitol Hill, ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross turns his attention to the high court. While there are ethics rules in place for lower federal court judges, there is no explicit code of ethics for the nine Supreme Court justices. Some practices have in turn come under scrutiny, such as accepting trips from groups with political and judicial agenda and gifts from private parties who may at some point have business before the court. Critics call for greater scrutiny of such practices, especially in light of ethics investigations underway in other branches of the federal government.