The US House Ethics Committee has issued a formal rebuke to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D–NY) over her classification of her longtime partner, Riley Roberts, as her “spouse” in certain official matters.
The committee's report addresses Ocasio-Cortez’s acceptance of a complimentary ticket for Roberts to attend the 2021 Met Gala, valued at $35,000. Under House rules, such a gift may only be accepted for a legally married spouse. Ocasio-Cortez and Roberts have lived together since 2016 and were engaged in 2022, but there is no record of a legal marriage.
In a letter to the committee dated May 16, Ocasio-Cortez’s attorney, David Mitrani, stated that Roberts is considered a “spouse” under federal campaign finance law. According to the letter, Roberts has received certain privileges typically afforded to legal spouses of lawmakers, including access to congressional areas through a “spouse pin” and participation in sponsored travel abroad.
However, the letter also stated that Roberts is not subject to financial disclosure requirements applied to legal spouses under House ethics rules, citing that the couple had not formalized their relationship through legal or religious means.
The Ethics Committee cited this dual classification in its July report. “At the same time Representative Ocasio-Cortez was seeking to take advantage of exceptions to the Gift Rule only applicable to spouses and/or certain relatives, she was not disclosing Mr. Roberts’s financial interests as is required of Members who are legally married,” the committee wrote.
AOC ordered to repay $3,000 in impermissible gifts, donate $250 to Met Gala's charity
The committee ordered Ocasio-Cortez to repay $3,000 in impermissible gifts related to the Met Gala and to donate $250 to the charity that operates the event to cover the cost of Roberts’s meal.
According to the report, the financial status of Roberts—including employment, assets, liabilities, and investment activity—has not been disclosed. Under current federal law, legally married spouses of lawmakers are required to file public financial disclosures.
The Ethics Committee declined to comment on the case. Ocasio-Cortez’s office has not responded to multiple requests for comment.