Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez broke House ethics’ rules by accepting free tickets to the glitzy 2021 Met Gala benefit in New York City, and a designer gown emblazoned with “Tax The Rich” in red letters, a panel said Friday.
The House Ethics Committee released a report Friday saying an investigation determined that the New York Democrat and “Squad” members had flouted its rules by accepting the gratuities and ordered her to pay nearly $3,000 in personal funds to resolve the violations without sanctions.
That includes $250 to cover the attendance of her fiancé at the 2021 charitable event, Riley Rogers, and an additional $2,733.28 payment to Brother Vellies, the business that designed her gown.
“Based on its findings, the Committee determined that it would be appropriate for Representative Ocasio-Cortez to make additional payments of personal funds to compensate for the fair market value of certain expenses,” the panel’s report stated. “Upon confirmation of the completion of those payments, the committee will consider this matter closed.”
An Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson issued a statement saying the lawmaker accepts the committee’s findings and will make the payments to resolve the matter.
“The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements as a Member of the House,” the statement said. “She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she’s done at each step in this process.”
House ethics rules prohibit congressional lawmakers from accepting gifts such as “a gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance, or other item having monetary value.”
During the September 2021 gala, Ocasio-Cortez was provided with “a couture dress, handbag, shoes, and jewelry,” the ethics report said. “She also received hair, makeup, transportation, and ready-room services.”
The ethics panel said its investigation found that Ocasio-Cortez eventually paid vendors for the rental value of the attire she wore to the event and for the goods and services she and her partner received, but not until after the ethics office contacted her for its review.
If it weren’t for the review, the ethics panel said, “it appears that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez may not have paid for several thousands of dollars’ worth of goods and services provided to her.”
“While the committee did not find that Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s violations were knowing and willful, she nonetheless received impermissible gifts and must bear responsibility for the other conduct that occurred with respect to the delays in payment,” the report concluded.
