Far-left Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is facing accusations of mishandling federal election and House ethics rules. An unexpected complaint claims she misused close to $19,000 from her campaign funds to pay for a psychiatrist involved in controversial ketamine therapy.
The National Law and Policy Center, based in Washington, D.C., has submitted a joint complaint. Last Friday, they aligned with the Federal Election Commission and the Office of Congressional Action, urging both organizations to investigate Ocasio-Cortez, her Congressional Campaign Committee, and her treasurer, Frank Llewellyn.
The watchdog group is raising questions about whether payments made to Dr. Brian Boyle in Boston were misrepresented in official documents as “leadership training and consulting.” This complaint follows a recent article that highlighted questionable spending practices.
According to Paul Kamenar, the general counsel for the group, “We have reason to believe that AOC’s use of campaign funds for a psychiatrist with no ‘leadership training’ experience was not for any ‘bona fide campaign or political purpose,’ but rather for the personal psychiatric treatment of AOC and her campaign staff.”
Legally, using campaign funds for personal gain is prohibited, and violators could face fines or even up to five years in prison. Additionally, there might be financial restitution required. The NLPC is pushing for appropriate penalties against Ocasio-Cortez, urging the Office of Congressional Conduct to refer the situation to the House Ethics Committee, which has the authority to issue subpoenas.
Ocasio-Cortez has openly discussed her mental health struggles, citing treatments she sought after the January 6 Capitol riot, where she described the experience as akin to “serving in a war.”
Dr. Boyle, who is known for treating conditions like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, and PTSD, reportedly received nearly $19,000 from Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign. This payment was classified as “Leadership Training and Consulting,” although details on the sessions are unclear, and her campaign did not respond to inquiries for comment.
Kamenar remarked, “AOC’s expenditure of approximately $19,000 in campaign funds for retrenchment appears to violate both FEC rules and House Ethics rules that prohibit the personal use of such funds.” He insisted that if she indeed requires psychiatric treatment from Dr. Boyle, it should come out of her own pocket.
Boyle, a Harvard-educated physician, describes himself as an “interventional psychiatrist” and utilizes unconventional treatments that have garnered attention. He is also seen as a leading authority on ketamine, a substance that gained notoriety when it was used in the months leading up to Matthew Perry’s tragic passing.
His clinic offers various treatments appealing to affluent individuals, including techniques like nerve injections aimed at alleviating anxiety responses. Some wealthy clients, like Bob Parsons, have praised these innovative therapies.
Interestingly, Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t shied away from endorsing drug therapy options. As part of the Squad, she has advocated for the end of federal marijuana prohibitions and has introduced amendments to promote research into substances like psilocybin and ecstasy for mental health treatments, suggesting that there is “promising” potential.
In a recent House hearing, Ocasio-Cortez argued that some drugs classified as “Schedule I,” which are typically viewed as having high abuse potential and no legitimate medical use, might actually have significant therapeutic advantages.
