New York Democrat Rep. Maloney under House Ethics probe over 'permissible gifts' allegation

The House Ethics Committee announced Monday that outgoing New York Rep. Democrat Carolyn Malone is under investigation in connection with allegations she solicited a ticket to the Met Gala.

The report states: "If Rep. Maloney solicited or accepted impermissible gifts, then she may have violated House rules, standards of conduct and federal law."

Tickets to the Metropolitan Museum of Art's annual fundraising event in New York City start at $30,000, while tables go for over $200,000, according to the news site the Post Millennial.

The report states that in 2016 Maloney asked and received a ticket from former Met President Emily Rafferty, based on testimony she gave investigators, Politico reports.

An attorney for Maloney said the congresswoman's attendance was "appropriate and complied with all applicable House gift rules, laws, and regulations. The attorney also said Maloney "did not impermissibly solicit an invitation to these events."

Maloney, who lost reelection in this year’s midterm primaries, told investigators she did not remember making the call.

Elected officials can attend fundraising events for third parties only if their invitations are unsolicited.