From [HERE] House ethics investigators said they have evidence Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D., N.Y.) ran afoul of congressional rules, after she was slow to reimburse vendors for clothing and other expenses tied to her participation in the 2021 Met Gala.

At the event, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez wore a white dress by fashion brand Brother Vellies with the words “tax the rich” scrawled across the back in red ink.

The House Ethics Committee on Thursday released a report by the Office of Congressional Ethics, an internal, nonpartisan ethics office that reviews allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The probe had been disclosed in December, but neither the ethics committee nor Ms. Ocasio-Cortez’s office had provided details.

The OCE stated in its June 2022 report that Ms. Ocasio-Cortez “may have accepted impermissible gifts” in the form of hair and makeup services, attire for the event and transportation provided by magazine publisher Condé Nast, fashion brand Brother Vellies and other vendors associated with the event. Those services totaled over $5,000, well above the limit on gifts for lawmakers set forth in federal law and congressional ethics rules, according to the OCE investigation. 

The OCE recommended that the House Ethics Committee review the matter, saying there is a “substantial reason to believe that she accepted impermissible gifts.”

The OCE also recommended ethics officials subpoena witnesses who didn’t cooperate with the probe, among them Brother Vellies founder Aurora James and other figures with ties to the company.

Condé Nast and Brother Vellies didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. [MORE]