Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Faces Ethics Complaint Over Nearly $19,000 in Campaign Funds Paid to Ketamine Therapy Psychiatrist

WASHINGTON – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) is the subject of a formal ethics complaint alleging she misused approximately $19,000 in campaign funds for personal ketamine therapy sessions with a Boston psychiatrist, the National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) announced March 28, 2026.

The complaint, filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) and the Office of Congressional Conduct, charges that Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign committee and treasurer, Frank Llewellyn, improperly classified the payments to Dr. Brian Boyle as “leadership training and consulting.” Federal election law and House ethics rules strictly prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal expenses.

FEC records show three payments to Boyle in 2025 totaling $18,725: $11,550 in March, $2,800 in May, and $4,375 in October. Boyle is a psychiatrist known for providing ketamine-assisted therapy, a controversial treatment that involves the use of the anesthetic drug ketamine for mental health conditions.

NLPC senior fellow Paul Kamenar stated the expenditures “appear to violate both the FEC and House Ethics rules prohibiting use of such funds for personal purposes.” The watchdog group called for a full investigation into whether the funds were used for the congresswoman’s personal benefit rather than legitimate campaign or official activities.

Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment from multiple outlets, including the New York Post and Just the News.

The allegations mark the latest scrutiny of the three-term Democrat’s campaign spending practices. Critics have long questioned how members of Congress classify expenses, noting that personal medical or therapy costs are not permissible under campaign finance regulations. Ketamine therapy, while gaining popularity in some mental health circles, remains off-label for many uses and is not covered by standard insurance, raising further questions about why campaign resources were directed to it.

House ethics rules and FEC guidelines allow campaign funds only for expenses directly related to seeking election or holding office. Personal use — including medical treatment, travel unrelated to official duties, or family expenses — is explicitly barred. Violations can result in fines, repayment orders, or referral for further congressional discipline.

The complaint comes as Ocasio-Cortez continues to serve on the House Oversight and Financial Services committees. No formal findings have been issued by the FEC or Office of Congressional Conduct, and the allegations have not been independently verified by federal investigators.

The NLPC filing adds to a growing list of campaign finance complaints targeting sitting members of Congress from both parties. Watchdog groups have increasingly used public FEC disclosures to flag potential misuse of donor dollars for non-campaign purposes.

Ocasio-Cortez has not addressed the specific claims as of March 28, 2026. The matter is now under review by the independent offices charged with enforcing federal election and congressional ethics standards.