In a recent development, the House Committee on Ethics has ordered Rep.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) to pay an additional $2,700 to settle an ethics violation.
The violation stems from Ocasio-Cortez's acceptance of thousands of dollars in gifts, including a controversial "Tax the Rich" gown and accessories, for her appearance at the 2021 Met Gala. This information was revealed in a statement and report released by the Committee on Friday, as reported by RedState.
The ethics complaint lodged against Ocasio-Cortez accused her of accepting "impermissible gifts associated with her attendance at the Met Gala in 2021." The congresswoman made headlines at the event with her politically charged dress and accompanying accessories. She also brought her boyfriend, now fianc, Riley Roberts, to the high-profile event.
The Committee's investigation found that Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent figure in the Democratic party, paid less than $1,000 for her ensemble at the gala, despite its actual value exceeding $3,000. The total cost of her designer dress, luxury shoes, jewelry, floral hairpiece, and handbag was determined to be $3,724.04 at fair market value.
Initially, Ocasio-Cortez's campaign did not fully compensate the vendors for these items, paying only $990.76, a sum significantly below the actual costs. The Committee's report now mandates that the difference of $2,733.28 be paid by the congresswoman.
The Committee's conclusion stated, "The Committee determined that Representative Ocasio-Cortezs conduct was inconsistent with House Rules, laws, and other standards of conduct with respect to her acceptance of certain goods and services associated with her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala, and her delay in making appropriate payment for their receipt."
While the Committee acknowledged that Ocasio-Cortez's violations were not "knowing and willful," they emphasized that she had "received impermissible gifts and must bear responsibility for the other conduct that occurred with respect to the delays in payment." The Committee will not impose further sanctions provided Ocasio-Cortez pays the additional amount for the fair market value of the goods and donates an additional $250 to account for the value of her boyfriend's meal.
In response to the Committee's findings, Ocasio-Cortez's Chief of Staff, Mike Casca, issued a statement expressing gratitude to the Committee. He said, 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. She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as shes done at each step in this process.
However, the irony of the situation is not lost. Ocasio-Cortez, who wore a dress emblazoned with "Tax the Rich" to the Met Gala, is now required to pay her fair share. Further adding to the irony is the fact that Aurora James, the designer of the "Tax the Rich" dress, reportedly had multiple tax warrants levied against her companies and owed arrears in excess of $130,000 at the time of the Met Gala.
This is not the first time Ocasio-Cortez has faced an ethics complaint. Earlier this year, a nonprofit government accountability project filed a complaint against her over expenses involving "training" - expenses that allegedly involved improper use of taxpayer funds to pay a dance company and a man named "Juan D Gonzalez." These instances raise questions about the congresswoman's commitment to ethical conduct and fiscal responsibility, key tenets of conservative values.
Login