Virginia Thomas Reportedly Steps Down as Head of Conservative Group

Virginia Thomas is stepping down as head of Liberty Central, the conservative activist group she founded, to free the organization from the "distractions" of her high profile, The Washington Post reported.

A spokeswoman told the newspaper that Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, would formally announce she'll be taking a diminished role with Liberty Central at an event later Monday or Tuesday morning.

She'll take a back seat so that Liberty Central can continue with its mission without any of the distractions, Caitlin Carroll said. "After discussing it with the board, Mrs. Thomas determined that it was best for the organization."

But on Monday evening, Sarah Field, Liberty Central's chief operating officer, told Politics Daily's Matt Lewis that the Washington Post story was "inaccurate" and told Lewis in an e-mail, "I am the spokesperson for Liberty Central and I would demand a correction based on these facts." According to the New York Times Web site, Washington Post reporter Amy Gardner is standing by her story.

Carroll also said that Liberty Central, started by Thomas a year ago, will announce its merger with another grassroots group. She declined to provide more details but there has been speculation that Liberty Central will join forces with the Virginia-based Patrick Henry Center.

Liberty Central bills itself as conservative but nonpartisan. Its Web site says it wants to help concerned citizens "make a difference in the fight against the liberal Washington agenda."

Thomas has worked for the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, and for former House Republican Majority Leader Richard A. Armey of Texas. Her husband is one of the Supreme Court's most conservative members.

Thomas made headlines last month when she left a voicemail for Anita Hill, the lawyer who accused Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment during his 1991 Senate confirmation hearings. Thomas asked Hill, now a Brandeis University professor, to consider apologizing to her husband. Hill said she stands by her testimony.