AOC Under Fire for Campaign Finance and Met Gala Controversies

New York Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has come under scrutiny after a federal investigation revealed that her campaign failed to disclose some of its expenses properly. The investigation found that two political action committees set up by AOC's former chief of staff failed to disclose the purpose of disbursements to shell companies for Brand New Congress and Justice Democrats. Despite discovering several instances of AOC breaking the rules and the law, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) voted 4-2 to dismiss a government watchdog complaint against her.

AOC's legal troubles continue, with the House Office of Congressional Ethics finding "substantial reason to believe" that she may have violated federal law when accepting "impermissible gifts" linked to her attendance at the 2021 Met Gala, where she wore a "Tax the Rich" dress. The Office of Congressional Ethics concluded that if AOC "accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct, and federal law." AOC denies any wrongdoing. These allegations of bending or breaking the rules by Democrats are frustrating for those who believe in accountability and integrity in the political system, and underscore the need for politicians who prioritize honesty, transparency, and adherence to the law.