A formal complaint has ignited controversy surrounding Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, alleging improper use of campaign funds. The National Legal and Policy Center filed the complaint, focusing on nearly $19,000 paid to a Boston-based psychiatrist.
The payments, made in 2025, were officially reported as expenses for “leadership training and consulting.” However, the complaint argues the funds were actually used for personal psychiatric services, potentially for the Representative herself or members of her campaign team.
Dr. Brian Boyle, the psychiatrist in question, specializes in treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety, notably utilizing ketamine therapy. His practice doesn’t publicly advertise leadership training or consulting services, raising questions about the stated purpose of the payments.
The complaint details three specific payments: $11,550, $2,800, and $4,375, totaling $18,725. It asserts that using campaign funds for personal expenses is a violation of federal election law and House ethics guidelines.
Central to the argument is whether the expense would have occurred regardless of Ocasio-Cortez’s candidacy. If the services were primarily therapeutic, the complaint contends, they constitute an impermissible personal use of campaign money.
The allegations draw attention to the strict requirements for campaign expenditures, demanding they be both legitimate and verifiable. The complaint suggests the payments to Dr. Boyle fail to meet these standards, lacking a clear “bona fide campaign or political purpose.”
The timing of the complaint follows reporting that highlighted Dr. Boyle’s expertise in ketamine therapy, a substance known for its use in treating severe depression and famously utilized by the late actor Matthew Perry.
While the complaint doesn’t definitively prove wrongdoing, it requests a thorough investigation by the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Conduct, seeking potential penalties and disciplinary action.
Representative Ocasio-Cortez has previously spoken openly about her own experiences with therapy, acknowledging the importance of mental health care. She discussed slowing down and prioritizing her well-being in a 2021 interview.
Furthermore, she has been a vocal advocate for re-evaluating the classification of certain drugs, including psychedelics, to facilitate research into their potential therapeutic benefits for conditions like PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.
Ocasio-Cortez has argued that current drug scheduling policies haven’t curbed overdoses and may even be hindering access to potentially life-saving treatments. She believes scientific research should guide drug policy, not prohibitive classifications.
As of now, neither the Representative’s campaign nor her office has publicly responded to the allegations or requests for comment regarding the complaint and the payments to Dr. Boyle.
