AOC Ordered to Pay for Met Gala Items in Bipartisan Ethics Rebuke

WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee has formally concluded its investigation into Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's attendance at the 2021 Met Gala, ordering the New York congresswoman to pay just over $3,000 to resolve outstanding costs for her attire and her partner's ticket. The decision, detailed in a 26-page report released Friday, closes a chapter that has fueled political debate for years.

The bipartisan, 10-member committee unanimously found that Ocasio-Cortez's "conduct was inconsistent with House Rules, laws, and other standards of conduct." While the panel stopped short of finding a "knowing or willful" violation of ethics rules, it determined that the delayed payments for high-value items constituted impermissible gifts. The investigation will be officially closed once proof of payment is provided.

The Committee's Findings

According to the report, Ocasio-Cortez received an array of goods and services for the exclusive New York fashion event, including her custom-made "Tax the Rich" dress, a handbag, shoes, and transportation. Additionally, the cost of her partner's attendance, valued at $35,000 per ticket, was initially covered by the event organizers.

The core of the ethics violation stemmed not from attending the event itself, but from the lengthy delay in settling the bills for these items. The committee stated that the failure to pay these vendors in a timely manner created the appearance that she had received a gift, which is prohibited under House rules designed to prevent undue influence on lawmakers.

"While the Committee did not find that Representative Ocasio-Cortez knowingly and willfully violated House rules, she did not act with the requisite due regard for the rules," the report concluded. The required payment covers the remaining fair market value of the borrowed items and services that were not settled promptly after the event.

A Politically Charged Gown

The controversy began in September 2021 when Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive voice, appeared on the Met Gala red carpet in a white gown emblazoned with the bright red words "Tax the Rich." The dress, designed by Aurora James of the brand Brother Vellies, immediately became a viral sensation, drawing both praise from supporters for its bold political statement and condemnation from critics who pointed out the irony of wearing such a message at one of the world's most elite and expensive gatherings.

Conservative watchdog groups filed complaints shortly after, prompting the Office of Congressional Ethics to review the matter and eventually refer it to the House Ethics Committee for a full investigation. The inquiry focused on whether the congresswoman had improperly accepted gifts associated with the gala.

Ocasio-Cortez's office has previously maintained that it acted in good faith and believed it was following all rules, attributing the payment delays to miscommunications and billing issues with the vendors involved.

Navigating Complex Ethics Rules

The committee's report underscores the complexities public officials face when navigating ethics regulations in high-profile cultural settings. While members of Congress are often invited to charitable and cultural events, strict rules govern what they can accept in terms of gifts, travel, and other benefits.

The ruling serves as a formal, bipartisan admonishment and a financial penalty but spares Ocasio-Cortez from more severe sanctions that a finding of intentional wrongdoing might have triggered. For her political opponents, the decision is likely to be framed as evidence of hypocrisy. For her supporters, it may be viewed as a minor administrative stumble amplified for political reasons.

Ultimately, the case highlights the high level of scrutiny applied to members of Congress and serves as a reminder of the stringent standards they are expected to uphold to maintain public trust. With the payment of the final sum, this specific ethics inquiry will come to a quiet end, though the political symbolism of the "Tax the Rich" dress is likely to endure.