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WASHINGTON — Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez flouted House ethics rules by accepting more than $3,700 in rented apparel and other gifts for her notorious appearance at the 2021 Met Gala — including a glitzy gown emblazoned with “Tax The Rich” in blood-red letters and a free ticket for her then-boyfriend Riley Roberts — but paying fewer than $1,000 for the goodies.
The House Ethics Committee faulted the Bronx and Queens “Squad” member for not complying with its regulation on gifts and improperly giving Roberts a free ride to the annual charity event put on by Vogue grande dame Anna Wintour — but said it wouldn’t sanction her further.
Fair-market value to rent the Brother Vellies couture dress designed by Aurora James — as well as luxury shoes, jewelry, a floral hairpiece and handbag — amounted to $3,724.04.
Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign initially stiffed some vendors on the payments and ultimately only forked over $990.76, the committee found.
“In fact, most payments were not made until after repeated attempts at collection from unpaid vendors, threatened legal action, or following the initiation of OCC’s [Office of Congressional Conduct] review,” the 26-page report stated.
“In light of this, the Committee determined that no sanction was merited, provided Representative Ocasio-Cortez: (1) donates the $250 value of Mr. Roberts’ Met Gala meal to the Costume Institute and (2) pays Brother Vellies an additional $2,733.28 for the fair market value of the goods that she received in connection with her 2021 Met Gala attendance.”
Mike Casca, AOC’s chief of staff, said in a statement: “The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements as a Member of the House. She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she’s done at each step in this process.”
