AOC Ordered to Pay Thousands After Ethics Panel Finds 'Tax the Rich' Met Gala Dress Broke House Rules

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been found by the House Ethics Committee to have violated congressional rules by accepting improper gifts related to her 2021 Met Gala appearance, where she wore a 'Tax the Rich' dress. The committee determined she underpaid for the designer gown and related services, and has ordered her to pay nearly $3,000 to resolve the matter. While the panel acknowledged that Ocasio-Cortez made efforts to comply with the rules, she still failed to pay the full fair market value for the items and services received. The investigation will be closed once she makes the required payments. This incident has reignited debate over ethics and accountability for public officials.