The outspoken Democratic representative from New York faces new scrutiny over her use of taxpayer funds.
According to Fox News, Americans for Public Trust, a nonpartisan government accountability organization, has filed an ethics complaint against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding questionable expenses made to a dance company using her congressional allowance.
The complaint centers on two specific payments made from Ocasio-Cortez's Member Representational Allowance (MRA): $3,700 to Juan D Gonzalez and $850 to Bombazo Dance Co Inc. Both expenditures were labeled as "training" expenses, raising concerns about potential misuse of taxpayer funds designated strictly for official congressional duties.
The nonprofit organization's letter to the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) highlights what they describe as several concerning expenses that may violate federal law and House of Representatives standards. According to Congressional Research Service guidelines, the MRA strictly prohibits personal or campaign-related expenditures.
Ocasio-Cortez has strongly denied any wrongdoing through social media. She maintains that the expenses in question are related to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings rather than taxpayer funds.
Americans for Public Trust Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland emphasized the importance of investigating these payments, particularly during a time when government spending faces increased scrutiny. The organization seeks clarity on whether the expenses align with the proper use of congressional resources.
This is not the first time the progressive congresswoman has faced ethics-related challenges. In 2023, she encountered multiple complaints, including one from the Heritage Foundation regarding the alleged defamation of a social media personality.
The congresswoman also underwent an ethics investigation last year concerning her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala. That probe examined whether she improperly accepted gifts related to the event, potentially violating House rules and federal law.
The current complaint questions Ocasio-Cortez's understanding of the distinction between campaign funds and congressional allowances. Critics suggest she either misunderstands the difference or knowingly misused taxpayer funds for non-official purposes.
Responding to allegations on the social media platform X, Ocasio-Cortez stated:
100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time.
Americans for Public Trust disputes this characterization, arguing that the congresswoman's response reveals either confusion about financial regulations or deliberate misrepresentation of the spending's nature. The organization emphasizes that proper classification and reporting of expenses are crucial for maintaining transparency in congressional operations.
The ethics complaint against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez stems from payments totaling $4,550 made to a dance company and an individual, which Americans for Public Trust claims violate congressional spending rules.
The Office of Congressional Ethics will review the complaint to determine whether the expenses violated federal law and House standards. As the investigation unfolds, the controversy adds to previous ethics challenges faced by the congresswoman, including the 2023 Met Gala probe and the Heritage Foundation complaint.
