Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sparked mass outrage by wearing a “tax the rich” designer dress to the lavish Met Gala in New York City.
Dresses are sometimes provided to stars as “gifts” while individual tickets to the event reportedly cost $30,000. Tables at the event start at $275,000.
An ethics complaint was filed against the outspoken socialist for receiving an “impermissible gift” and violating campaign finance laws.
The Office of Congressional Ethics is expected to “immediately open an investigation.”
Members of Congress must follow strict laws regarding campaign finance and receiving gifts.
AOC is responding to widespread criticism, but it is only making matters worse.
Daily Wire reports that “AOC scolded ‘haters’ about the criticism and contended that going to the fancy event with rich elites was actually her just doing her job as a congresswoman in New York City.”
Ocasio-Cortez said, “And before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city’s cultural institutions for the public.”
“I was one of several in attendance in this evening,” Ocasio-Cortez added.
On Instagram, AOC responded to criticism that she was hypocritical and a fraud by wearing a “tax the rich” dress to the Met Gala.
AOC says “rich” does not mean lawyers and doctors, but rather people with “hundred of millions if not billions of dollars.”
Watch the clip:
Here’s a look at the dress:
NEW – Democrat Rep. AOC wears a “Tax The Rich” dress at #MetGala, where a ticket costs $30,000 to attend.pic.twitter.com/V9B7UGoGX5
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 13, 2021
The investigation should determine whether Ocasio-Cortez accepted an “impermissible gift” to attend the gala.
The complaint was filed by the American Accountability Foundation (AAF), which is a conservative watchdog group.
Although Ocasio-Cortez described her attendance at the Met Gala as part of her official duties, the “receipt of the gift” must fall under either the widely attended event or charity event exemptions as defined by the House rules.
However, the event was not widely attended. The exclusive invitations are overseen by a for-profit company called Conde Nast.
The complaint argues that AOC’s invite fails on both exemptions and she should be held accountable.
Here is AOC’s response to criticism on Twitter:
And before haters get wild flying off the handle, New York elected officials are routinely invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing and supporting the city’s cultural institutions for the public. I was one of several in attendance in this evening.🤗
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) September 14, 2021
