The House Ethics Committee is investigating a complaint related to New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, USA Today reports.
The committee announced the investigation in a statement on Wednesday, though it did not state the reason for the complaint.
“The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee,” the statement said.
The statement said that the investigation was first referred to the committee in June and added that it is extending the investigation into 2023.
AOC responds:
Ocasio-Cortez’s office vowed that the congresswoman would be cleared of any wrongdoing.
The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee,” a spokesperson said in a statement. “We are confident that this matter will be dismissed.”
Met Gala link?
Ocasio-Cortez made headlines last year when she wore a dress saying “Tax the Rich” to a $35,000-per-ticket Met Gala in New York.
“She was invited as a guest of the Met. She also did not get to keep the dress,” a spokesperson said at the time.
But Politico reported last week that House Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney is under an ethics investigation for allegedly asking for an invitation to the Met Gala.
“If Rep. Maloney solicited or accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct and federal law,” the board of the Office of Congressional Ethics said in a report, adding that it is still investigating the matter.
