Ocasio-Cortez’s ‘Tax the Rich’ Dress Designer is Deadbeat Who Owes Over $100k in Taxes

The saying there’s “no such thing as bad press” has just been proven wrong by progressive sweetheart Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The New York congresswoman did not do any favors for herself, nor her friend Aurora James by wearing a gown she designed to the famous Met Gala. The white dress with “TAX THE RICH” painted in red down the back caused a stir as the message fell flat in the midst of millionaires and billionaires.

Generally, a dress designer would do anything for press, particularly from the famous Met Gala attended by the socialites of the world. For James, however, it will likely be her biggest regret. James is “a notorious tax deadbeat with unpaid debts dogging her in multiple states” reported the New York Post.

The Post found tax records showing IRS tax liens totaling $103,220 in the parent company of her fashion brand. There are also “three open warrants in New York State for failing to withhold $14,798 in income taxes from employee paychecks (plus twelve other since-resolved NY tax warrants), and a $17,000 fine for failing to carry worker’s compensation insurance,” writes Mediate.

Mediate continues, “She’s also a rent deadbeat, the Post claims, describing an eviction action by James’ previous landlord – along with a demand for more than $25,000 plus interest for staying beyond her lease. The case was settled for an undisclosed amount.”

One landlord reportedly sued the designer for over $5,000 in unpaid rent, and complained she had never paid rent “in a timely manner.” Former employees described her brand as a “sweatshop that relied on legions of unpaid interns working full-time jobs.”

One former contract employee told The Post “I experienced a lot of harassment when I worked for her…Aurora would ask me to do things that were not in anyone’s job description, like scheduling her gynecological appointments. The work environment was so hostile that I was afraid to ask for my check.”