A House Ethics Committee inquiry concluded that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez may have violated congressional gift rules by attending the 2021 Met Gala in a designer “Tax the Rich” dress—a moment that drew widespread media attention. Although the combined value of the items she received surpassed $3,700, less than $1,000 was eventually reimbursed, and only after a delay of several months.
The Committee came to the conclusion that the New York Democrat had accepted numerous presents, including jewelry, shoes, a handbag, a nice suit, and hair accessories, all of which were unlawful. Ocasio-Cortez personally paid the majority of the $990.76 that was finally paid, despite estimates that the products were worth $3,724.04. Her campaign team first protested paying part of the expenses and attempted to justify reduced payments by using online retail rental rates; however, the committee found this tactic unworkable because the designer garment was handmade.
Although formal penalties were not issued, the panel did attribute responsibility to Ocasio-Cortez’s former staffers, particularly her ex-campaign manager, who had attempted to significantly lower the dress cost and left other vendor bills outstanding for months. A hairstylist, whose $477 fee remained unpaid for nearly half a year, had reportedly threatened legal action before payment was processed.
The panel noted that most vendors only received payment after persistent efforts on their part, with some having considered legal channels to collect what was owed. As a result, subpoenas had to be issued, and the matter extended into a three-year probe.
The report further indicated that while intentional misconduct could not be confirmed, the violations still amounted to a failure in ethical compliance. A condition was set that Ocasio-Cortez must resolve the remaining balances, including a $250 reimbursement for her boyfriend’s dinner at the event and a payment of $2,733.28 to the designer, for the case to be closed without penalty.
House rules explicitly restrict members from accepting gifts, unless under limited exceptions, such as invitations by charitable organizations. In this instance, the invitation had reportedly been extended by Vogue editor Anna Wintour, not by the event’s official host, which may have placed the acceptance outside permissible boundaries.
Further complications were raised when a second invoice, totaling over $5,500, surfaced a year later. It included expenses tied to hotel accommodations, car services, and accessories for her companion, prompting additional scrutiny. The committee also expressed concern that the designer involved had failed to request payment up front, and it was noted that no clear explanation had been offered for this omission.
While the congresswoman’s team was said to have instructed vendors to keep expenses low due to financial limitations, the committee observed a general lack of cost-conscious behavior throughout the event’s preparation and aftermath. Vendors reportedly responded that expenses were typically covered for Met Gala guests, an assertion that did not align with the rules governing congressional conduct.
The committee ultimately concluded that Ocasio-Cortez’s participation in the event and the extended delay in resolving financial obligations stood in violation of both the House’s rules and its ethical standards. Closure of the case would depend on full repayment of the remaining outstanding amounts.
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