They are investigating whether Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accepted "unpermitted gifts" when she attended the Met Gala

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democratic representative from New York, is being investigated by a House ethics committee seeking to establish whether she received "unpermitted gifts" when she attended the prestigious Met Gala in 2021, a report said Thursday. of the lower house.

The Congressional Ethics Committee voted 5-0 to investigate Ocasio-Cortez after determining that "there are substantial reasons to believe that she accepted impermissible gifts" associated with her participation in the benefit gala, which is hosted each year by the Metropolitan Museum of Art. from New York.

"Representative Ocasio-Cortez was given

," the congressional watchdog report states.

“She was also provided with hair, makeup, transportation, and a serviced room.

Riley Roberts (her partner of hers) was given a monkey tie and shoes before the event.”

The cost of gifts and services was assessed at

, plus an additional

for transportation.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez during the Met Gala on September 13, 2021 in New York City.

Jamie McCarthy/MG21 / Getty Images for The Met Museum/

David Mitrani, Ocasio-Cortez's lawyer, says the congresswoman returned that money to the providers in May 2022, but the ethics committee says she did so only after the investigation started.

Ocasio-Cortez attended the Met Gala in 2021 wearing a white suit from the Brother Vellies haute couture house, which on the back bore the Tax the Rich emblem in red letters ('Cóbrenles taxes to the rich', in

) .

"Delay" in reimbursement to providers

Although the Latina congresswoman did pay for the items and the rental of the dress, the Congressional Ethics Office (OCE) questioned that she did so after the investigation began. 

His lawyer said Thursday in a press release that "this matter definitely does not constitute a violation of House Rules or federal law." 

[Ocasio-Cortez, Verónica Escobar and 15 other Democratic congresswomen arrested during pro-abortion protest in front of the Supreme Court]

Mitrani acknowledged that "there were delays in the payment to the providers for the costs associated with the congresswoman's attendance at the Met Gala," but that the representative's communications, analyzed by the OCE, show that she always intended to

and even spoke with his lawyer "before the event to ensure that he complied with all applicable ethical standards."

A congressional ethics committee is investigating Sen. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Dec 8, 202200:29

"The congresswoman considers the delay (of payments) unacceptable

and has taken several steps to ensure that nothing of this nature happens again," Mitrani added, saying she was confident "that the Ethics Committee will dismiss this matter." 

The Brother Vellies fashion house and other suppliers refused to provide information to the ethics committee conducting the investigation, according to the report revealed Thursday.

[House Ethics Committee opens investigation into Republican Congressman George Santos]

The same ethics committee also announced Thursday that it is investigating Rep. George Santos, Republican of New York, for his own admitted lies about his professional experience and personal life ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.