AOC Blames Staffer For Not Paying 2021 Met Gala Expenses Amid House Probe Into Improperly Accepted Gifts

Acasio-Cortes slammed the notebook on the podium in frustration of Ilhan Omar's electoral commission.

AFTER

Rep. Alexandria Acasio-Cortez, DD, (A)C, accused her staff of failing to pay "several thousand dollars in goods and services" for her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala.

The Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) has launched an investigation into whether Acasio-Cortez violated internal policy by improperly accepting gifts at the Met Gala, but the congresswoman says she was out of line and allowed a staffer to harass her. take the blame.

Speaking to investigators, Acasio-Cortez said she was unaware of the dress she wore and the designers who helped her prepare for the 2021 Met Gala. I knew what I had learned. "But I don't know." I don't know about the invoices, I don't know what was sent," he added.

"And it's a very unfortunate situation," Ocasio-Cortez continued. "I feel really bad, especially for the small businesses that are hurting."

HOC PRESENTED AN ETHICAL INVESTIGATION AT THE MET GALA, THE JURY FINDS VIOLATIONS, ACTION IS NECESSARY.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a sexy dress

© Photo by Kevin Mazur/MG21/Getty Images for the Met Museum/Rep. Vogue . At the 2021 Met Gala, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a dress that read "Tax the Rich," which is very popular among the left. Kevin Mazur/MG21

Ocasio-Cortez's staff, which reportedly no longer works for the congressman, is responsible for the unpaid bills.

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"I believe my delay was because I did not have access to his personal credit card at the time," the employee told House ethics investigators.

PRESENTATION. NEW YORK. ALEXANDRIA ACACIA-CORTEZ IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE HOUSE ETHICS COMMISSION.

“Representative Alexandria Acasio-Cortez may have received an inappropriate gift in connection with her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala. If Representative Acasio-Cortez accepted an improper gift, she may be violating internal policies, standards of conduct, and federal law." said in the statement. to read the statement. read the complaint.

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill. Drew Ungerer

Article 4 of Regulation XXIII of the DRC states that "Members, delegates, permanent commissioners, officers or employees of the DRC may not accept gifts, except as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation XXV". The DPR Ethics Office report clarifies that under DPR regulations, the term "gift" means gifts, favors, discounts, entertainment, hospitality, credit, indulgences or other items of monetary value. The term includes gifts of services, training, transportation, lodging, and meals, whether provided in kind, through the purchase of tickets, advance payment, or reimbursement of expenses."

According to the OCE report, “Representative Acasio-Cortez was invited to the Met Gala by Mr. Roberts in 2021. As part of her participation, Representative Acasio-Cortez received a couture dress, handbags, purses, shoes and jewelry. She also received hair, makeup, transportation, and bedtime. Riley Roberts received a tie and shoes before the event.

With the image of Acasio-Cortes of Alexandria

Although the debt was eventually paid, it was only after PACE contacted members of Congress.

"Until R. Ocasio-Cortez appears to have paid for the dress she wore to the Met Gala, as well as the goods and services she and her partner received in connection with the event in September 2021. that will not happen until OCE is contacted about this review,” the ethics office said.

Adam Seibs and Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.