An investigation into Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (often shortened to her initials, AOC) has been extended after a nonpartisan review found “substantial reason to believe that she accepted impermissible gifts”.
Ocasio-Cortez received criticism in 2021 for appearing at the Met Gala, an event which costs $35,000 per ticket and is often invite-only for prestigious celebrities, in a floor-length white gown donning the words “Tax The Rich” scrawled in red on the back. She stated in an Instagram post prior to attending the event that she and serval other elected officials had been invited to the gala as New York lawmakers. Other attendees often include the Jenners and Kardashians, where guests don expensive couture by high-profile designers, to raise money for The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. AOC is a self-described “democratic socialist”.
AOC rented the dress and denies any wrongdoing. The investigation surrounds the payment for the services provided to her, including a handbag, jewellery, and shoes for the Gala, as well as the dress. On top of this, AOC was provided with transport, makeup, and hair services, as well as a hotel room. She has now fully paid for these services, but they remained unpaid for until The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) contacted her in regards to these payments.
AOC claimed that “there was a ball that was dropped,” as she relied on her campaign staffer to handle the matter or paying for these services, which cost several thousand dollars.
The $477 payment for Ocasio-Cortez’s hair services went unpaid until her stylist threatened to complain to the New York City Office of Labor Policy and Standards for Workers, whilst the $345 bill for makeup services was unpaid until March of 2022.
In total, Ocasio-Cortez and her partner, Riley Roberts, received $5,579.99 worth in goods for the Met Gala, and the delay in making these payments could mean that the congresswoman broke congressional rules and federal law.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram, @AOC
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