A government accountability watchdog is demanding an official investigation into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) over allegations that she may have improperly used taxpayer funds for campaign-related expenses. Americans for Public Trust (APT), a nonpartisan ethics group, filed a formal complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) on Tuesday, citing concerns over specific disbursements listed in Ocasio-Cortez’s fourth-quarter Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA).
Allegations of Misuse of Taxpayer Funds
APT’s complaint focuses on two payments from Ocasio-Cortez’s congressional office account: $3,700 to “Juan D Gonzalez” and $850 to “Bombazo Dance Co Inc.,” both categorized under “training.” These transactions, which appeared in the House’s Statement of Disbursements, have sparked accusations that taxpayer dollars may have been inappropriately spent on activities unrelated to her official congressional duties.
House ethics rules strictly prohibit the use of official funds for campaign activities, and APT argues that these payments raise serious concerns. “House rules are clear: official resources must be used for the performance of official business and cannot be used for campaign or political purposes,” APT stated in its letter to the OCE.
Additionally, the group warns that “criminal penalties exist for falsely certifying improper use, including campaign use, of official House funds.” The controversy gained traction after social media users flagged the questionable expenses online.
Ocasio-Cortez Responds to Accusations
Ocasio-Cortez swiftly responded to the allegations on X (formerly Twitter), claiming, “100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time.”
APT, however, contends that her response was both misleading and an implicit admission of improper spending. “Either she does not know the difference between her campaign funds and MRA, or, more likely, she knows the highlighted expenses were not for official business and should have been paid by her campaign,” APT’s letter asserts.
Potential Ethics Violations and Legal Ramifications
Federal law mandates that congressional appropriations be used strictly for their intended purpose. The House Ethics Manual explicitly states that taxpayer dollars must be reserved for “official and representational expenses” and cannot be diverted for campaign activities. If violations are confirmed, Ocasio-Cortez could face serious penalties, including criminal charges.
APT Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland is calling for a comprehensive investigation into whether Ocasio-Cortez engaged in a pattern of misusing taxpayer funds. “Representative Ocasio-Cortez has made expenditures from her official office account that she herself contends should have been reported to the FEC, presumably because they were made for campaign purposes,” the complaint reads.
“If it is revealed that Representative Ocasio-Cortez has demonstrated a pattern of using her taxpayer-funded MRA to pay her campaign expenses, we further request a full investigation be commenced by your office.”
Ongoing Scrutiny and Political Implications
This latest controversy adds to the scrutiny surrounding Ocasio-Cortez’s financial dealings. House Republicans have previously criticized her for ethical concerns, including her participation in the Met Gala and an associated ethics probe over gifts she received. As a high-profile and often polarizing figure in Congress, the allegations are likely to fuel ongoing political debates over transparency and accountability in Washington.
Ocasio-Cortez’s office has yet to release an official statement addressing the ethics complaint beyond her social media rebuttal. With the OCE now in the spotlight, the outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for congressional ethics enforcement and future campaign finance oversight.