A government watchdog has filed a complaint accusing Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) of misusing campaign funds, pointing to nearly $19,000 in payments to a psychiatrist that were reported as “leadership training and consulting.”
The National Legal and Policy Center submitted the complaint against the congresswoman to both the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC), detailing three payments in 2025 totaling $18,725 to Boston-based psychiatrist Dr. Brian W. Boyle.
Those payments were disclosed as campaign expenses. The complaint argues the label does not match what was actually provided.
“There is reason to believe that AOC’s use of campaign funds to pay for a psychiatrist who has no experience in ‘leadership training’ was not for a ‘bona fide campaign or political purpose,’ but rather for personal psychiatric therapy.”
Federal law bars campaign funds from being used for personal expenses. The complaint points to the “irrespective test,” which asks whether the expense would exist even if the individual were not a candidate. It argues that psychiatric treatment meets that standard if it is personal care.
The filing also focuses on Boyle’s practice. He describes himself as an “interventional psychiatrist” treating depression, PTSD, and anxiety, including through ketamine-based therapies. Nothing in that profile suggests campaign consulting.
“Thus, while AOC’s campaign reported that the $19,000 expenditure was ostensibly used for ‘leadership training,’ there is reason to believe that Dr. Brian Boyle’s psychiatric services were for therapeutic treatment.”
Ocasio-Cortez has previously spoken about seeking therapy after the Jan. 6 riot, describing the experience as traumatic, and the complaint points to those statements as context for why the services may have been personal rather than campaign-related.
The watchdog group is asking regulators to investigate and impose penalties if violations are found. The Office of Congressional Conduct could also refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee, which has the authority to subpoena witnesses and pursue disciplinary action. The dispute centers on how those payments were labeled.
The filings call it leadership training. The complaint says it was therapy.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY