Ocasio-Cortez Under Scrutiny for Campaign Fund Misuse
New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is currently facing considerable criticism regarding her campaign’s alleged misuse of donations meant for private mental health services.
The complaint, filed on Friday by the conservative nonprofit National Law and Policy Center (NLPC), as well as the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), claims Ocasio-Cortez paid $18,725 to a psychiatrist through her campaign funds last year.
According to the complaint, these funds were instead utilized for personal psychiatric services for Ocasio-Cortez or her campaign staff. It seems her campaign made the payment in four separate transactions, which were directed to Dr. Brian Boyle, a psychiatrist noted for his unique treatment approaches. The exact details of the services and who was involved haven’t been clearly outlined.
Dr. Boyle is recognized for his work in ketamine-assisted therapy and holds the position of Chief Psychiatric Officer at Stellar, a mental health organization known for its focus on interventional and neurotherapeutic methods.
The NLPC highlighted that, according to a New York Post investigation, the complaint indicates Ocasio-Cortez spent nearly $19,000 in campaign funds for personal purposes—this could potentially violate FEC regulations as well as the House Ethics Code. Attorney Paul Kamener from NLPC remarked that the expenses were also misreported by the FEC.
The payments were noted to have occurred on March 10 ($11,550), May 15 ($2,800), and October 1 ($4,375), with the latter being unusually labeled as “Leadership Training and Consulting.”
While Dr. Boyle’s website doesn’t mention “leadership training” as part of his expertise, some analysts suggest the campaign might refer to his background as a “resident executive coach” in a tech incubator to rationalize this categorization.
Stella Mental Health operates in several states, including California and Illinois, though it appears to lack a presence in the New York or DC areas.
The NLPC has requested that both the FEC and OCC look into the details surrounding these payments and impose suitable penalties or disciplinary actions against Ocasio-Cortez.
Dr. Boyle has labeled himself as an “interventional psychiatrist,” focusing on novel methods for treating conditions like depression, PTSD, and anxiety. He’s also an advocate for ketamine therapy and SPRAVATO, the only nasal spray comprising ketamine approved by the FDA.
Ocasio-Cortez had previously disclosed that she sought therapy to cope with the trauma from the protests that unfolded at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
In a radio interview, she remarked, “It took a while, but it was really good. [Rep.] Ayanna Pressley told me I needed to recognize the trauma,” referencing how she explained her experiences that day.
If the House Ethics Committee examines this issue, it has the authority to issue subpoenas and enforce disciplinary measures against Ocasio-Cortez, a level of power that surpasses that of the Office of Congressional Ethics.
Federal law strictly prohibits the use of campaign funds for personal gain, and violations could lead to penalties, ranging from jail time to the requirement for candidates to reimburse misused funds.
