A conservative watchdog group has filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y) over her appearance at the Met Gala on Monday.
“There are serious questions about whether or not her ticket — donated or purchased with campaign funds — was permissible under the code of congressional ethics,” The American Accountability Foundation said in a statement, NBC News reports. “These rules exist for a reason. Without strict adherence, we run the risk of corruption in the halls of Congress and public officials serving others over their constituents. Government has a responsibility to its citizens, and integrity and accountability should be our foremost concern.”
Ocasio-Cortez wore a floor length dress with the words “Tax the Rich” scrawled in large red letters across the back to the annual fundraiser attended by celebrities and influencers with tickets reportedly costing $35,000. Tables go for between $200,000 and $300,000.
AOC defended her attendance at the event in a post on social media writing: “BEFORE anybody starts wilding out – NYC elected officials are regularly invited to and attend the Met due to our responsibilities in overseeing our city’s cultural institutions that serve the public. I was one of several in attendance.”
Her office told NBC news they are “confident we complied with all ethics rules.”
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D) also attended the event.
