AOC Ordered to Repay for Met Gala Gift Violations

The House Ethics Committee found that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) violated House rules during her 2021 Met Gala appearance by underpaying for her custom 'Tax the Rich' dress, accessories, and accepting a free ticket for her then-fiancé, Riley Roberts. Ocasio-Cortez must reimburse nearly $3,000 to vendors for the fair market value of her attire and make a $250 donation to the Met Gala's Costume Institute for her fiancé’s meal. The committee did not find evidence of intentional wrongdoing, attributing the violations to payment delays and reliance on staff and vendors. Ocasio-Cortez sought legal counsel and made efforts to comply with House rules throughout the process. The bipartisan committee will not pursue further action if the payments are completed. The case attracted significant attention due to the message on her dress and the nature of her attendance.