The only way it is still a threat with leverage is that although everyone has hard that rumor-there has never been any factual info/documentation to come out about it-if it is there, then there could be all sorts of illegal bits and pieces to it that could still cause a major scandal and maybe fines, etc. I have no idea what the statute of limitations on illegal adoption, money changing hands, forged docs, etc is-but maybe it isn’t up yet.
Or maybe the dude has a secret mistress who spanks his naughty ass and has photos/video, or maybe he sneaks away to buy time with high-dollar escorts/call girls-that is a resume enhancer only for a dem-for a conservative, it is still a major scandal...
Except USSC justices face no electoral risk. Other than bad press which will eventually blow over if there’s no actual investigation. Even the revelation of a mistress or even a whole brothel will blow over. Embarrassing but who will actually care? Loses conservatives? If so then why threaten to reveal all now! That will drive him away from conservatives and toward liberals. If that was a real possibility, why wasn’t it sung from the DC rafters long ago. If had been done, they would have saved some past rulings like abortion.
Again, I see no reason to resort to blackmail! There must be another reason. How about just poor at his job?