AOC’s Met Gala appearance ‘inconsistent’ with House Rules
The House Ethics Committee found that Representative Alexandria ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) violated House rules during her 2021 Met Gala appearance by not fully paying the fair market value for certain goods and services related to the event, including her notable “Tax the Rich” dress. While there was no evidence that she intentionally underpaid, the committee determined she owes an additional $2,733.28 to cover the remaining costs. The investigation revealed that some payments were delayed and possibly reduced due to interactions with her staff. Ocasio-Cortez has accepted the committee’s ruling and will make the required payments from her personal funds to resolve the matter.The committee stated that once the payments are completed, the case will be considered closed.
House Ethics asks AOC to pay $2,700 for Met Gala appearance that violated gift rules
A House Ethics Committee investigation found Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) acted “inconsistent with House Rules, laws, and other standards of conduct” in relation to her 2021 Met Gala appearance and asked her to pay more than $2,700.
In a report released Friday, the committee determined that there was no evidence Ocasio-Cortez intentionally underpaid for “any goods and services” related to her appearance, for which she famously wore a dress that said, “Tax the Rich.” However, the committee determined that it is “appropriate” for her to compensate for the “fair market value of certain expenses.”
“In many instances, the congresswoman relied on the advice of counsel in determining appropriate payment amounts, and most discussions about payment were handled through a campaign staffer,” the committee wrote in its report released Friday. “However, the Committee did find evidence suggesting that the designer may have lowered costs in response to statements from Representative Ocasio-Cortez’s staff, and that payments to vendors were significantly delayed and, in several cases, did not occur until after OCC initiated its investigation.”
The committee said Ocasio-Cortez should make additional payments “of personal funds” to compensate for the underpayment of services worth $2,733.28 that she received in connection with her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala.
“Upon confirmation of the completion of those payments, the Committee will consider this matter closed,” the panel wrote.
AOC WAS WARNED AGAINST ACCEPTING MET GALA INVITE, EMAILS SHOW
The investigation into whether she accepted “impermissible gifts” has been ongoing since 2023, when the Office of Congressional Ethics determined at the time that she did not pay for the dress rental, makeup, accessories, and transportation services until after the watchdog contacted her.
“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,” Mike Casca, Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, said in a statement provided to the Washington Examiner. “She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she’s done at each step in this process.”
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