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New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez found herself in red for thousands of dollars on a black-owned, woman-led accessory brand after violating the “gift rules.”
The violation comes from not paying the full market value of the items she fitted at the 2021 Met Gala. There, she wore the famous “rich” dress and accepted free admission to the event by her fiance, Riley Roberts.
The Associated Press reported that tickets for the Met Gala would cost at least $30,000. It is unknown if Ocasio-Cortez purchased his ticket.
The House Ethics Committee released a report Friday, finding that Ocasio-Cortez “actively took steps” to comply with gift rules in relation to the appearance of her Met Gala, but she was unable to fully comply.
Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Research Gala – Met Gala in America – America: The Dictionary of Fashion – Arrivals – New York City, USA – September 13, 2021. (Reuters/Mario Anzuni)
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The committee found evidence suggesting that the designer brother Belize had cut costs in response to a statement from Ocasio-Cortez staff and could have been significantly delayed in paying the vendor.
In some cases, no payment was made until the investigation began, the committee noted.
The report also concluded that despite vendor counter-incentives to enable vendors to promote their products and services, members of AOC staff are “over-reliant” on the vendors themselves and “over-reliant” to ensure compliance with gift rules.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a dress that “taxes the rich” at the 2021 Met Gala, a popular sentiment among people on the left. (Getty Images by Kevin Mazur/Mg21/Met Museum/Vogue)
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However, the committee said it had not concluded that the suspicious shortage was “intentional” and instead placed the responsibility on campaign staff who handled the payment discussion.
The AOC itself denounced staff while talking to investigators in March 2023, unaware of the stylist who prepared the gala and unpaid expenses related to the dress she wore, Fox News Digital previously reported.
“I would never have allowed it to happen,” Ocasio-Cortez said at the time. “But I didn’t know the bill, but what was sent didn’t violate the bill.”
Based on the findings, the committee determined that it would be appropriate for Democrats to make additional payments from personal funds to compensate for the fair market value of certain costs.
The committee asked lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay certain Met-related costs. (Reuters)
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No sanctions will be imposed as long as she donates $250 worth of Roberts’ Met Gala Meal to the Costume Institute and pays an additional 2,733.28 to her brother Vellies for the fair market value of the accessories she received in connection with the Gala.
He said he believes the matter has been closed after the committee received confirmation that payments have been completed.
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Costume Institute Ocasio-Cortez and his brother Belize did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Aubrie Spady from Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News digital journalist covering Breaking News, focusing on impactful events that shape public conversations and impact government responses.
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