The House Ethics Committee is investigating Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the congresswoman confirmed Wednesday.
The eight members of the committee provided no explanation about what the investigation is for, simply saying that they had been notified on June 23rd this year and would announce a decision next year.
But Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a popular socialist politician, was the subject of two complaints submitted to the Office of Congressional Ethics over her attendance at last year’s Met Gala.
Ocasio-Cortez caused a stir at the gala by wearing a designer dress with the words: “Tax the Rich.”
Two complaints have been filed against Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, alleging that she accepted free tickets to the star-studded Academy Awards ceremony in violation of House rules.
“The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee,” a statement read.
Lawmakers are allowed to take free tickets to charity events directly from organizers, as reported by The Post. Ocasio-Cortez and her now fiancé Riley Roberts were invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Although some people argue that the Met Gala should be open to anyone because it’s controlled by a for-profit company, conservative groups hold that this does not apply. This is because invitations to the event are difficult to come by and tables at the event are typically sponsored by corporate entities.
The American Accountability Foundation — the organization responsible for the initial ethics complaint filed against congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez — argued that Instagram gave her “unfair access” by sponsoring a table at a gala they were both attending.
The National Legal and Policy Center filed the second ethics complaint, which claimed that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s white Brother Vellies gown with “Tax The Rich” in red lettering on the back was an impermissible gift. They argued that this is because it was “directly related to AOC’s ‘position with the House’ as a highly visible and controversial Member.”
“If AOC had not been a Member, she would not have been invited to the Gala,” the complaint read, “and even if she would have been invited as a private citizen, the designer would not have made a special dress for her to wear at the event.”
Although it is not confirmed, the probe that was announced Wednesday may be associated with the complaints from the Met Gala. A similar complaint made about Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney was referred to the House Ethics Committee on June 23 of this year.
Maloney’s complaint stated she broke House rules when requesting tickets to the 2016 gala after not being included on the initial guest list.
Ocasio-Cortez’s office stated on Wednesday that the rep had done nothing wrong.
“The Congresswoman has always taken ethics incredibly seriously, refusing any donations from lobbyists, corporations, or other special interests,” a statement read. “We are confident that this matter will be dismissed.”
