Apeerances

Joking aside, 'corrupt intent' entails an attempt to corrupt the decision-making of an as-if otherwise impartial process, whereas Oliver's offer is made to get the appearance of an already walking & talking conflict of interest, in the person of Justice Thomas, to recuse himself of any and all such future appearances, which in and of themselves continue to corrupt the evidential integrity of the process. In other words, it's an anti-bribe.