Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D.N.Y.), slammed a member of her staff for not paying the “several thousands of dollars worth of goods or services she needed to attend the 2021 Met Gala.
Ocasio Cortez was charged with violating House ethics when she accepted gifts at the Met Gala. OCE, the House Office of Congressional Ethics (House Office of Congressional Ethics), launched an investigation. Ocasio Cortez, however, claimed she wasn’t aware of the issue and blamed a staffer.
Ocasio Cortez claimed that she didn’t know about unpaid expenses related to the dress she wore, or the stylists who helped prepare her for the Met Gala 2021.
Ocasio Cortez stated, “And it is just a deeply regrettable situation.” Ocasio Cortez stated, “I feel terrible for small businesses that were affected.”
Ocasio-Cortez staffers claim that the congresswoman is no longer working for them. They accepted responsibility for unpaid dues.
She told House ethics investigators that she believed the delay was due to the fact that she couldn’t access her credit card at the time.
Rep. The complaint said that Ocasio Cortez may have received impermissible gifts in order to violate House rules and standards for conduct.
House Rule XXIII section 4 states that members, delegates, resident commissioners, officers, and employees of the House can’t accept gifts except as required by Rule XXV, clause 5. “Gift” is defined by the House ethics office as “a gratuity, favor, discount or entertainment, hospitality, loan or forbearance, or any other monetary value.” You can give it in the form of tickets, advance payments, or reimbursement for expenses.
OCE reports that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez was invited to attend the Met Gala in 2021 along with Mr. Roberts. Ocasio Cortez was invited to the Met Gala in 2021 with Mr. Roberts. She received a couture gown and handbag as well as shoes, jewelry, and hairstyle services.
The balance was finally paid but it was only after a congresswoman contacted OCE.
The ethics office stated that Rep. Ocasio Cortez appeared to have paid rent for the outfit she wore to the Met Gala and for the goods and services she received in connection to the September 2021 event.