Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing a formal complaint alleging she improperly used nearly $19,000 in campaign funds for personal therapy services, raising potential legal and ethics concerns.
The complaint, filed by the National Legal and Policy Center, accuses Ocasio-Cortez of violating federal election law and House ethics rules by paying a psychiatrist for what investigators believe may have been personal use.
According to the filing, the payments were made to Boston-based psychiatrist Dr. Brian Boyle, whose practice specializes in ketamine therapy and other unconventional mental health treatments.
The campaign reportedly made four separate payments totaling $18,725, labeling the expenses as “leadership training and consulting” in official filings.
The complaint argues that the description may not reflect the true purpose of the payments.
“There is reason to believe that AOC’s use of campaign funds… was not for a bona fide campaign or political purpose,” the group’s counsel said in the filing.
Under federal law, campaign funds cannot be used for personal expenses. Violations can result in fines, required reimbursement, and in some cases, criminal penalties.
The watchdog group is calling on both the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Conduct to investigate the matter and determine whether enforcement action is warranted.
If the Office of Congressional Conduct finds sufficient evidence, the case could be referred to the House Ethics Committee, which has broader authority, including issuing subpoenas and recommending disciplinary action.
The controversy centers on whether the services provided by Dr. Boyle qualify as legitimate campaign-related consulting or personal medical treatment.
Boyle is a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and serves as chief psychiatric officer at a mental health clinic that focuses on treatments such as ketamine therapy, often used for conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety, according to the New York Post.
His practice is known for offering alternative therapies that have gained popularity among high-profile clients.
The complaint questions whether a psychiatrist with that specialization would reasonably be providing campaign consulting services.
Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The issue also draws attention to her past statements on mental health. She has previously spoken about seeking therapy following the January 6 Capitol riot, describing the experience as traumatic.
She has also supported expanding research into psychedelic-assisted therapies, including substances such as psilocybin and MDMA.
Those positions are now being revisited in light of the complaint, which suggests a potential overlap between her personal advocacy and campaign spending.
