Ocasio-Cortez’s Met Gala dress rental may have violated household etiquette, the panel found

The House Ethics Committee said it was continuing its review of whether New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may have violated House rules on “unauthorized gifts” regarding her rental clothing, accessories and other items related to her presence at the Met Gala in New York. city ​​in 2021.

The committee on Thursday released a report on external investigations and referrals from the nonpartisan Office of Congressional Ethics that determined Democrat Ocasio-Cortez or her campaign initially did not pay for the dress she wore to the gala, and other matters. It concluded that there were “reasonable reasons to believe that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez received an impermissible gift in connection with her presence at the Met Gala,” and recommended that the ethics committee review the matter further.

“But to OCE opening this review, it appears that Rep. Ocasio-Cortez may not have paid for the several thousand dollars worth of goods and services provided to him,” despite notices that the payment was grossly overdue, the report said.

The report also highlighted that the Ocasio-Cortez campaign staff involved was unable to explain why the cost of renting a dress – which featured the words “Rich People’s Tax” in red letters – was reduced from $1,300 to $300.

OCE attempted to interview another witness, but said the person refused to cooperate.

When asked about delays in payments for various goods and services, the report said Ocasio-Cortez acknowledged “a ball was dropped” and described the situation as “deeply regrettable”.

The Ethics Committee also on Thursday opened an investigation into another New Yorker, Republican George Santos, into alleged unlawful conduct, including whether Santos was involved in a sexual misconduct involving someone seeking a job in his congressional office. No details were given about the accusations.