U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr. has recused in several important cases recently, leaving some lawyers involved scratching their heads or wondering if he has recently expanded his investment portfolio.
His most high-profile recusal this term came Oct. 9 when the court’s orders list stated Alito took no part in the denial of review in Chevron v. Naranjo, a long-running effort by Ecuadorean natives to seek damages from Chevron for causing extensive pollution in their region.