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AOC broke House rules to attend Met Gala with beau Riley Roberts, told to pay additional $2,700 for ‘Tax The Rich’ gown, other accessories

AOC broke House rules to attend Met Gala with beau Riley Roberts, told to pay additional $2,700 for ‘Tax The Rich’ gown, other accessories

WASHINGTON — Far-left Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez flouted House ethics rules by accepting more than $3,700 in rented apparel and other gifts for her notorious appearance at the 2021 Met Gala — including a glitzy gown emblazoned with “Tax The Rich” in blood-red letters and a free ticket for her then-boyfriend Riley Roberts — but paying fewer than $1,000 for the goodies.

The House Ethics Committee faulted the Bronx and Queens “Squad” member for not complying with its regulation on gifts and improperly giving Roberts a free ride to the annual charity event put on by Vogue grande dame Anna Wintour — but said it wouldn’t sanction her further.

Fair-market value to rent the Brother Vellies couture dress designed by Aurora James — as well as luxury shoes, jewelry, a floral hairpiece and handbag — amounted to $3,724.04.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Riley Roberts attend the Met Gala in 2021. GC Images
The Post’s front page on March 6, 2023,

Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign initially stiffed some vendors on the payments and ultimately only forked over $990.76, the committee found.

AOC is seen being on the Met Gala’s red carpet in 2021. GC Images

“In fact, most payments were not made until after repeated attempts at collection from unpaid vendors, threatened legal action, or following the initiation of OCC’s [Office of Congressional Conduct] review,” the 26-page report stated.

AOC wears a white dress with words saying, “Tax The Rich” at the Met Gala in 2021. Getty Images For The Met Museum/Vogue

“In light of this, the Committee determined that no sanction was merited, provided Representative Ocasio-Cortez: (1) donates the $250 value of Mr. Roberts’ Met Gala meal to the Costume Institute and (2) pays Brother Vellies an additional $2,733.28 for the fair market value of the goods that she received in connection with her 2021 Met Gala attendance.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez broke House ethics rules when she borrowed attire to go to the Met Gala in 2021. Getty Images

Mike Casca, AOC’s chief of staff, said in a statement: “The Congresswoman appreciates the Committee finding that she made efforts to ensure her compliance with House Rules and sought to act consistently with her ethical requirements as a Member of the House. She accepts the ruling and will remedy the remaining amounts, as she’s done at each step in this process.”