The U.S. House Committee on Ethics has launched an investigation into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), a press release issued on Wednesday revealed.
The committee did not provide any details on the probe. The committee’s entire press release said the following:
Pursuant to House Rule XI, clause 3(b)(8)(A), and Committee Rules 17A(b)(1)(A), 17A(c)(1), and 17A(j), the Acting Chairwoman and Acting Ranking Member of the Committee on Ethics have jointly decided to extend the matter regarding Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, which was transmitted to the Committee by the Office of Congressional Ethics on June 23, 2022.
The Committee notes that the mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the subject of the matter, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the Committee.
The Committee will announce its course of action in this matter following its organizational meeting and adoption of Committee Rules in the 118th Congress.
This isn’t the first time Ocasio-Cortez has come under fire for possible ethics violations. Last year, The American Accountability Foundation filed an ethics complaint against the congresswoman over her attendance at the Met Gala.
“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 foundation said in a statement, according to NBC News.
“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,” the group continued. “Government has a responsibility to its citizens, and integrity and accountability should be our foremost concern.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s office rejected the accusations, saying in a statement, “We are confident we complied with all ethics rules.”
This was a breaking news story. The details were periodically updated as more information became available.
