Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing scrutiny following a formal ethics complaint alleging misuse of campaign funds. The complaint centers around nearly $19,000 paid to a psychiatrist specializing in innovative, and sometimes controversial, mental health treatments.
The National Legal and Policy Center filed the complaint with both the Federal Elections Commission and the House Ethics Committee, asserting that the funds were improperly designated for “leadership training and consulting.” They believe the money was instead used for personal psychiatric services, either for the Representative herself or members of her staff.
At the heart of the concern is Dr. Brian W. Boyle, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist known for his work with Ketamine therapy and treatment-resistant depression. The complaint questions whether his expertise aligns with legitimate campaign consulting, citing his focus on conditions like PTSD and anxiety.
Detailed records from the Federal Election Commission reportedly show four payments totaling $18,725 made to Dr. Boyle’s practice last year. These payments were categorized as expenses for “leadership training and consulting,” a description the complainants find suspect given the doctor’s established field of practice.
Legal counsel for the National Legal and Policy Center argues that using campaign funds for personal psychiatric care violates both FEC and House Ethics regulations. They suggest the Representative should cover such expenses personally, particularly given the doctor’s specialization in areas like narcissistic personality disorder.
Dr. Boyle is the chief psychiatric officer at Stella, a mental health clinic catering to a high-profile clientele, including those in Hollywood and on Wall Street. The clinic is known for offering “novel” therapies, raising further questions about the nature of the services provided to the campaign.
This isn’t the first time Representative Ocasio-Cortez has faced ethical challenges. Previously, the House Ethics Committee found her to have improperly accepted gifts, including a $35,000 ticket to the Met Gala and over $3,700 in apparel, for her then-boyfriend during a highly publicized event where she wore a dress emblazoned with “Tax the Rich.”
The current complaint demands a thorough investigation into the payments made to Dr. Boyle and seeks appropriate penalties and disciplinary action if violations are confirmed. The Representative’s campaign has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding these allegations.
