AOC Busted? Watchdog Group Demands Investigation Into Questionable Spending [WATCH]

A government accountability group is urging 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 watchdog organization, filed a formal complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) on Tuesday, citing concerns over specific expenditures from Ocasio-Cortez’s fourth-quarter Members’ Representational Allowance (MRA).

The complaint draws attention 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.”

.@AOC got dance lessons on 12/13/2024 from Bombazo Dance Co Inc and made the US taxpayer cover the $850 bill for that “training.”

On the same day there was $3,700 paid to Juan D Gonzalez for more “training.”

Earlier, on 9/18/24, AOC spent $3,384.74 for food at Taco Bamba… pic.twitter.com/RPPVrQhJxR

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 8, 2025

Elon Musk Called This Financial News ‘Terrifying’

These transactions, disclosed in the House’s Statement of Disbursements, have led to accusations that congressional funds were inappropriately spent on activities unrelated to official duties.

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APT’s complaint outlines potential violations of federal law and House ethics rules, which explicitly prohibit the use of 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 watchdog group further warns that “criminal penalties exist for falsely certifying improper use, including campaign use, of official House funds.”

The controversy surrounding the expenses gained public attention after a social media user flagged the transactions online.

Ocasio-Cortez responded to the accusations on X, stating, “100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time.”

100% wrong. None of this is taxpayer money, this is an FEC filing. Be loud and wrong about something else. Try again next time

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 8, 2025

APT, however, argues that her response does not address the concerns and may even serve as an implicit admission that the funds in question were misused.

“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.

Under federal law, congressional appropriations must be used solely for their designated purpose.

The House Ethics Manual reinforces this rule, stating that taxpayer dollars are restricted to “official and representational expenses” and cannot be diverted to campaign activities.

Violations of these regulations could carry significant penalties, including criminal charges.

APT Executive Director Caitlin Sutherland is calling for the OCE to conduct a thorough investigation into whether Ocasio-Cortez has 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 states.

“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.”

This is not the first time Ocasio-Cortez has faced scrutiny over ethics and campaign finance issues.

House Republicans have previously raised concerns about her financial activities, including her high-profile attendance at the Met Gala and an associated ethics probe into gifts she received.

As the complaint moves forward, the controversy is expected to spark further debate over ethics and transparency in Congress.

Ocasio-Cortez’s office has not released an official statement regarding the ethics complaint beyond her initial response on social media.

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