The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is under investigation.
The commission did not provide details about the Ocasio-Cortez investigation.
“The Ethics Committee Acting Chair and Ranking Members have jointly decided to extend the issue regarding Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sent to the Committee by the Congressional Ethics Office on June 23, 2022. ‘ read the statement. “The Commission has held that the mere fact of a referral or extension, and that such extension and mandatory disclosure of the name of the subject matter at issue, are in themselves not to indicate that a violation has occurred or to reflect judgment on behalf of the Commission. A committee to note what to do and what not to do.”
“The Commission will announce its course of action on this matter following the adoption of the Commission Rules at its organizing meeting and in the 118th Congress.”
BREAKING: Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee
“Normally, the office pursues an investigation because it has reason to believe that ethics laws have been violated.” https://t.co/ux4UaDuzVz
—ALX ?? (@alx) December 7, 2022
“Congressmen have always taken ethics very seriously and refuse donations from lobbyists, corporations or other special interest groups,” an Ocasio-Cortez spokesperson told Forbes.
In September 2021, the New York delegates appeared at the Met Gala in a formal designer white dress with “TAX THE RICH” written in red across the back. Ocasio-Cortez was heavily criticized after her dress was revealed to be “borrowed,” and her $35,000 ticket was compensated, according to congressmen.
Critics also noted that Ocasio-Cortez was sitting at the same table as Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who organizes the Met Gala to raise money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
Three conservative groups have filed complaints with the House Ethics Committee following Ocasio-Cortez’s appearance at the Met Gala.
“AOC used the occasion to display the slogan ‘Tax the rich’ on her custom designer gown, rubbing elbows with wealthy Hollywood celebrities and influencers. This group was hand-picked by Anna Wintour and Condé Nast, not by the MET. ’” the organization wrote.
“This is a case where the member’s own words trigger an investigation. Not only did she say she didn’t pay for the item, she also said that the ticket was given because of her ‘responsibility to supervise’ the giver.” alluded to. “This whole situation is exactly what the House gift rules are designed to prevent,” Kendra Arnold, executive director of the Accountability and Citizens Trust Foundation, said in a statement following the Met Gala. and calls for an immediate investigation of this matter by the Congressional Ethics Office.”
“Representative Ocasio-Cortez may have violated house gift rules by accepting free admission for himself and his boyfriend to the Met Gala event and accepting related gifts before, during or after the event. use of custom-designed dresses, limousine services, Carlyle hotels, professional hair and makeup services, and other related services and products,” the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) said in its complaint.
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