Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, has found herself in a bit of trouble over her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala. The House Ethics Committee has ruled that she violated ethics rules by accepting gifts, including a pricey ticket and borrowed attire.
The investigation began after a complaint was filed in December 2022 by the American Accountability Foundation. They raised concerns about Ocasio-Cortez’s attendance at the high-profile event, where she wore a striking dress that read “Tax The Rich.” The committee discovered that she accepted a free ticket valued at around $35,000 from her fiancé, Riley Roberts. This ticket was deemed an unacceptable gift under House rules.
Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez rented her dress from Brother Vellies for $3,724 but only paid $990. The committee noted that her actions breached the rules that prevent lawmakers from receiving gifts like free event access or travel.
Despite these findings, the three-year investigation concluded that there was no evidence Ocasio-Cortez intentionally underpaid for her clothing. She suggested that her staff may have been responsible for the delayed payments to some vendors. For example, a hairstyling bill of $477.73 went unpaid for nearly six months, leading to a complaint with the New York Department of Labor.
The committee decided that Ocasio-Cortez would not face sanctions if she donated the value of her meal at the Gala, estimated at $250, to the Costume Institute. She is also required to pay an additional $2,733.28 to Brother Vellies for the fair market value of the dress and other items.
Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, Mike Casca, released a statement expressing appreciation for the committee’s acknowledgment of her efforts to comply with House rules. He stated that she accepts the ruling and plans to address the outstanding amounts as she has done throughout the investigation.
This incident highlights the importance of ethical conduct among lawmakers and the scrutiny they face regarding gifts and expenses.
