House Ethics Panel Says Ocasio-Cortez Violated Gift Rules with 2021 Met Gala Visit

The New York Democrat was ordered to pay more than $2,700 to the brand that made her dress.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at the 2021 Met Gala. NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx/NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx

The House Committee on Ethics said Friday that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez violated House gift rules while attending the 2021 Met Gala, ordering her to pay $250 for her partner’s meal at the event and an additional $2,733.28 to the brand that made her “Tax the Rich”-emblazoned dress.

Ocasio-Cortez was criticized for attending the swanky event, and the ethics panel began an investigation the following year into whether she violated any rules. It released its report on Friday, finding that she underpaid for renting some items and did not exercise proper oversight over her staff when it came to paying some of the bills.

If she makes these payments, she will not be sanctioned, the report says.