New York: US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is under investigation for attending the 2021 Met Gala and wearing a dress that had the text "tax the rich" on it.
A congressional watchdog told the BBC that she may have violated the US House rules by attending the event wearing the rented designer gown. The probe will focus on the costs associated with the dress. A report released on Thursday by the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) says AOC received the dress, handbag, shoes, and jewellery for the occasion. She was also given a hotel room and transport along with hair and makeup services.
"While Rep. Ocasio-Cortez appears to have now paid for the rental value of the attire she wore to the Met Gala and for the goods and services she and her partner received in connection with this September 2021 event, payment for these goods and services did not occur until after the OCE contacted her in connection with this review. if Rep. Ocasio-Cortez accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law," said the report.
The legislator has denied any wrongdoing. Her counsel David Mitrani said she "finds these delays (in payment) unacceptable, and she has taken several steps to ensure nothing of this nature will ever happen again." He added that the matter is regrettable but does not "rise to the level of a violation of House Rules or of federal law because there is no evidence she ever intended to avoid these expenses."