While the House Committee on Ethics has prolonged its investigation into Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for an undisclosed matter, some media outlets speculated that it may very well be in relation to having attended the Met Gala.

The Bronx-born 33-year-old, who represents the Latest York’s 14th district, isn’t the one state official to be the main focus of an investigation led by the Office of Congressional Ethics. Late last month the committee announced that it had prolonged an investigation into how one other Latest York politician, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), got here to attend the 2016 Met Gala after initially being crossed off the list. She had attended the event several times through the years.

In a press release, the House Ethics Committee said, “The mere fact of a referral or an extension, and the mandatory disclosure of such an extension and the name of the topic of the matter, doesn’t itself indicate that any violation has occurred, or reflect any judgment on behalf of the committee.”

Ocasio-Cortez, who’s more commonly often called “AOC,” attended the Met Gala in 2021. In response, the American Accountability Foundation filed a criticism against her for attending the Met Gala as a part of her “official duties.”

Press representatives for the congresswoman didn’t reply to a request for comment Thursday. A spokesperson for Ocasio-Cortez told other media that “…we’re confident that this matter might be dismissed.”

Asked for comment regarding the House Ethics Committee’s investigation into Ocasio-Cortez, a spokesman for the Met declined comment. As for whether the museum’s policy about inviting select community leaders and politicians to the event will change in any way, the spokesperson said the Met will proceed its practice of inviting “select officeholders to the event.” 

House members are allowed to attend charitable events at no cost, so long as the event’s primary purpose is to boost funds for a corporation that’s qualified to receive tax-deductible contributions, and if the organization — and never one other source akin to a company sponsor — extends the invitation, in response to the U.S. House Committee on Ethics’ gift guidance guidelines. 

Ocasio-Cortez made a serious fashion statement on the Met Gala in 2021, wearing a strapless white gown imprinted with “Tax the Wealthy” in red lettering. The dress was designed by Brothers Vellies founder Aurora James, who accompanied the congresswoman to the event. The Democratic congresswoman’s appearance on the red carpet gained global headlines and a few criticism, with some pundits and voters questioning the irony of attending such an expensive formal event. Individual tickets are $35,000 and tables cost $200,000.

The Met Gala, which is the annual profit for the Costume Institute, was a record-breaking fundraiser in 2016, raking in $16.75 million, when Maloney attended. Annually big-name designers, celebrities, musicians, pro athletes and other headline-grabbers traipse up the Upper East Side museum’s carpeted steps to attend the seated dinner. 

Executives at Brothers Vellies didn’t reply to requests for comment Wednesday or Thursday.

Maloney, who serves because the House Oversight Committee chairwoman and is about to retire this month, declined to comment regarding the AOC investigation, in response to her spokesperson.

Last month Maloney’s spokesperson told WWD that the congresswoman is “confident” that the House Ethics Committee will dismiss the matter, and noted it “has not made any determination a violation occurred.”