Did the icon of the left not want to pay for her clothes?
New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at a hearing regarding an alleged violation of the law by Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway in 2019.
Photo: Keystone
In December 2022, it was announced that the Ethics Committee was investigating Democratic Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. There was no more accurate information. Even then, however, there was skepticism about what is now certain with the publication of the commission’s report: it concerned the 33-year-old’s stunning appearance today at the Met Gala in New York in September 2021.
At the time, the political extraordinaire, often attacked for her progressive positions, wore a luxurious white dress—Brother Vellies was founded by black designer Aurora James—with a provocative, bright red inscription: “Tax the rich!” (“Taxes of the Rich!”) There was a lot to talk about after the celebrity charity event, with tickets costing $35,000. piece. The “Communist Hypocrisy Salon” was one of the expected accusations that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez brought against her from various sides.
But did this vocal defender of social justice breach the code of ethics for members of Parliament at the time? Has she made herself part of the feeling she often criticizes by accepting ill-gotten gifts?
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in a “Tax the rich” dress and her designer Aurora James (right) pose on the red carpet at the 2021 Met Gala, held annually for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.
Photo: Keystone
Answer: It’s complicated. No Member of Parliament shall demand or accept anything of value from any person whose interests may be affected by that Member. Exceptions include invitations to charity events if they are issued by the organizer. That’s when things got tough: The media actor wasn’t invited directly by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but by Vogue. However, since this has been involved in organizing the glamorous event for years, the same ethics committee classifies the invitation as “permissible”.
On the other hand, it’s hard for an AOC to use clothes, handbags, shoes, jewelry, make-up, hairdressing services, chauffeurs, and more without paying for it; Her partner also received a tie and shoes. Although the two returned the clothes in full after the event, the rental fee was not paid.
In fact, AOC only paid said rental fee of several thousand dollars after the investigation began. And some think: just as a reaction to it. During the investigation, it also emerged that the hairdresser, for example, had to remind her of the $478 bill several times; The makeup artist also had to wait a long time for $345. And the $5,000-plus for the various services of the Brother Vellies brand didn’t appear to have been charged at first.
“I think it’s awful, especially for the small businesses that have been affected.”
According to the depressed MP, the delay in payment is due to unforgivable mistakes. But she never viewed all favors as gifts. According to her team, there is tangible evidence of her early willingness to pay. The commission told the committee it was “extremely unfortunate”. “I think it’s awful, especially for the small businesses that have been affected.” I have taken steps to ensure that nothing like this happens again. However, her team notes that this is not misconduct in terms of the code of ethics.
The investigation is not complete yet. Either way: Late or slow payments are very unsightly—but not a capital offense.
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