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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez made a splash in 2021 with her “Tax the Rich” dress. Then the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation.

The worst hit they can come up with is she paid too little for a “tax the rich” dress

  • BigMacHole@sopuli.xyz
    451·
    2 days ago

    I’m glad we’re FINALLY going after the Rampant Corruption in Congress! FINALLY all the MILLIONS Congresspeople make Insider Trading and the BRIBES they Take to Pass Legislation that HURTS us will STOP!

    Oh wait Nevermind!

    • A_norny_mousse@feddit.org
      12·
      2 days ago

      It’s actually way dumber that that:

      Typically, attendees are dressed in custom-made garments at the expense of the designer, who often also covers the cost of admission.

      However, House ethics rules prevent members of Congress from accepting gifts such as “a gratuity, favor, discount, entertainment, hospitality, loan, forbearance or other item having monetary value.”

      Lawmakers and their spouses are permitted to attend charity events, but only if invited by the organization hosting the event. In this case, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and Mr. Roberts were guests of Ms. Wintour and allowed to attend.

      Investigators said that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez and her staff had been mindful of the rules and were determined to pay for her gown and related costs incurred by the designer, Aurora James, and her company, Brother Vellies.

      Rather than simply accepting the dress as a gift, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez asked to “rent” it and personally cover other costs associated with the evening.

      The lawyer told the committee that her team was repeatedly told, “‘Met Gala attendees don’t normally pay for this.’”