Watchdog Group Calls For Ethics Probe Into Ocasio-Cortez

A government accountability group is urging an official investigation into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) amid allegations that she may have misused taxpayer funds for campaign-related expenses. Americans for Public Trust (APT), a nonpartisan watchdog organization, filed a formal complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) on Tuesday, citing concerns over several expenditures detailed in Ocasio-Cortez’s fourth-quarter Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA).

The complaint specifically points to two payments made from Ocasio-Cortez’s office account—$3,700 to “Juan D Gonzalez” and $850 to “Bombazo Dance Co Inc.”—both listed under “training.” These expenses, which appeared in the House’s Statement of Disbursements, have raised accusations that taxpayer funds were improperly used for purposes not related to congressional duties. APT’s letter to the OCE details possible breaches of federal law and House ethics rules that strictly forbid using official funds for campaign activities.

“House rules are clear: official resources must be used for the performance of official business and cannot be used for campaign or political purposes,” the letter states. The group also warns that “criminal penalties exist for falsely certifying improper use, including campaign use, of official House funds.” The controversy escalated when a social media user brought attention the expenses online.

In response, Ocasio-Cortez fired back on X (formerly Twitter), dismissing the concerns and asserting, “100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time.” However, APT contends that Ocasio-Cortez’s response was not only misleading but also an implicit acknowledgment of wrongdoing.

“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,” the group’s letter contends. Federal law requires that congressional appropriations be used solely for their designated purposes. Additionally, the House Ethics Manual stipulates that taxpayer dollars must be allocated exclusively for “official and representational expenses” and not for campaign activities.