House Ethics Committee Rebukes AOC Over Fiancé Spouse Filing Discrepancies

The House Committee on Ethics reprimanded Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in July 2025 for inconsistencies in how she listed her fiancé, Riley Roberts, as her 'spouse' on federal documents related to the 2021 Met Gala and privately sponsored travel, despite the couple not being legally married at the time. The committee found that while Roberts was listed as a spouse on some documents to take advantage of exceptions to the Gift Rule, he was not disclosed as a spouse in Ocasio-Cortez’s financial filings, which would have required revealing his financial interests. Additionally, Ocasio-Cortez was ordered to repay thousands of dollars for underpaying for her dress, jewelry, and accessories worn at the gala, with an additional $2,700 payment required to close the investigation. Vogue's Anna Wintour personally invited Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts to the event, a point criticized by the ethics panel. The committee noted Ocasio-Cortez has cooperated with the investigation, which will conclude after the final repayment is made. The report highlights concerns about the attempt to use spousal exceptions without full financial disclosure, raising ethical questions about the filings.