House Ethics Committee investigates AOC [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• The House Ethics Committee said it has been investigating Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez over a referral in June.
• The panel did not elaborate on the cause, saying that it will announce its course of action in January.
• The investigation could be spurred by a complaint over AOC accepting a ticket to the 2021 Met Gala.

The House Ethics Committee released a statement on Wednesday confirming that it is investigating New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D).

The committee, headed by Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild (D), did not elaborate on the reason for the investigation.

The Office of Congressional Ethics, a separate office that looks into allegations of misconduct, has deemed the matter significant enough to refer it to the committee on June 23.

The committee has not judged on whether there has been an ethics violation, but has decided to extend the duration of the investigation, mandating a public disclosure.

The panel is set to “announce its course of action in this matter” next year after the 118th Congress convened.

The investigation could possibly be prompted by a complaint from the conservative group, American Accountability Foundation. In September 2021, they accused Ocasio-Cortez of taking an unacceptable gift in the form of a ticket to the 2021 Met Gala. The event organizers invited the congresswoman to the event so she did not pay for her ticket, which generally costs $35,000.

At the event, Ocasio-Cortez wore a white dress notably emblazoned with “TAX THE RICH.” Her spokesperson, Lauren Hitt, told PolitiFact last year that the congresswoman was not allowed to keep the dress.

The congresswoman also said that New York lawmakers were routinely invited to the event, which she attended in her official capacity as a member of Congress.

Another New York Democrat, Rep. Carolyn Maloney, has attended several Met Galas. The office of Congressional Ethics opened an investigation into whether Maloney solicited a 2016 ticket.

According to House rules, members are not allowed to accept gifts, with the exemption of widely attended events or charity functions.

The American Accountability Foundation argued that the congresswoman violated the rules for attending an exclusive event run by Condé Nast, a for-profit media company.

Hitt stated, “The Congresswoman has always taken ethics incredibly seriously, refusing any donations from lobbyists, corporations, or other special interests. We are confident that this matter will be dismissed.”

Hitt also did not provide additional details.

Source: Insider