New York Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has found herself in a financial dispute after the House Ethics Committee found her in violation of the House Gift Rule by not paying the full market value for items she wore at the 2021 Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, also known as the Met Gala, and by accepting free admission for her fiancé, Riley Roberts. The report, released on Friday, noted that although Ocasio-Cortez took steps to comply with the Gift Rule, she fell short in several areas, including not paying the fair market value for some of the items she wore and for Roberts’ meal at the event.
The incident has drawn attention to the high costs associated with the Met Gala, where tickets can exceed $30,000, as the Associated Press reported. The report suggests that the designer, Brother Vellies, may have reduced the cost of the items in response to statements from her campaign staff and that the payment to vendors was delayed, with some payments not being made until after the committee’s investigation started. The committee also observed that her staff was overly reliant on vendors to ensure compliance with the Gift Rule, rather than actively overseeing the process.
Although the committee did not conclude that the underpayment was intentional, it found fault with the actions of campaign staff who handled the payment discussions. Ocasio-Cortez herself has previously blamed her staff for mishandling the transactions, stating she was not aware of any unpaid expenses related to the dress and the stylists who prepared her for the gala, according to Fox News Digital. Based on the findings, the committee has decided that Ocasio-Cortez should make additional personal payments from her own funds to cover the fair market value of certain expenses, including the accessories and Roberts’ meal. The committee has also advised that the $250 value of Roberts’ meal should be donated to the Costume Institute.
No formal sanctions are being imposed, so long as she fulfills the payment requirements. The committee will consider the matter closed once these obligations are met. Ocasio-Cortez, her campaign, and the Costume Institute have not yet responded to Fox News Digital’s requests for comment on the findings and demands. This incident highlights ongoing discussions around campaign finance and the ethical standards expected of public officials, with the report also noting concerns about the transparency of campaign staff in ensuring compliance with House rules.