WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has directed Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) to make additional payments tied to her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala, citing underpayment for services and attire related to the high-profile event where she famously wore a dress reading “Tax the Rich.”
In a 31-page report issued Friday, the bipartisan panel concluded that Ocasio-Cortez violated House rules by “impermissibly accepting a gift of free admission for her partner” and by “failing to pay full fair market value” for items like her custom dress, makeup, hairstyling, and hotel accommodations. The congresswoman attended as a guest of Vogue magazine, with tickets valued at $35,000 each.
Though the New York lawmaker consulted legal counsel and paid for most of the services out of pocket, the committee noted her payments were “significantly delayed” and in some cases insufficient.
In a statement, Ocasio-Cortez’s chief of staff, Mike Casca, said the congresswoman “appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance” and added she would resolve any remaining payments.
Ethics Allegations Target Additional Lawmakers
The committee also released findings on separate ethics matters involving three other members of Congress:
Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Pa.):
The panel issued a formal reproval to Kelly following a long-running insider-trading probe tied to his wife’s stock purchase in steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs, based in his district. The committee stopped short of concluding he knowingly shared insider information but said Kelly took actions that benefitted the company while his wife owned stock in it. Investigators urged him to divest from the company.
Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.):
An investigative subcommittee was reauthorized to review allegations that the congresswoman solicited campaign donations tied to official actions and sought funding for a for-profit business. She also faces a state lawsuit accusing a company owned by her family of overbilling Florida by nearly $5.8 million for pandemic-related services. In a statement, Cherfilus-McCormick emphasized that no final determination has been made and pledged full cooperation.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas):
The committee reaffirmed its investigation into Cuellar, who faces a federal indictment on charges including bribery and money laundering. While acknowledging the Justice Department’s separate case, the committee noted that its inquiry is ongoing and does not imply guilt.
All cases remain under review, and lawmakers involved have either pledged cooperation or denied wrongdoing.
