Writer Luke Thompson was temporarily suspended by Twitter for calling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez out on giving her boyfriend a job in her Congressional office.
Thompson had discovered that Ocasio-Cortez’s boyfriend, Riley Roberts, is now listed as staff in the House directory and tweeted “while you were having a nice Valentine’s Day, @AOC decided to put her boyfriend on staff – drawing a salary on the taxpayer’s dime. Nice to see her adapting to the swamp so quickly.”
Twitter claimed that a screenshot of his House directory listing violated the rules against posting private information.
https://twitter.com/woodruffbets/status/1096441192697511936
While you were having a nice Valentine's Day, @AOC decided to put her boyfriend on staff – drawing a salary on the taxpayer's dime. Nice to see her adapting to the swamp so quickly. pic.twitter.com/bvncwzxY53
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
Ocasio-Cortez responded to Thompson’s claim by saying that he only has an account so that he can access her schedule.
“Actually this cal designation is a permission so he can have access to my Google Cal. Congressional spouses get Gcal access all the time. Next time check your facts before you tweet nonsense,” Ocasio-Cortez responded — though her claim was quickly debunked by the writer.
Actually this cal designation is a permission so he can have access to my Google Cal. Congressional spouses get Gcal access all the time.
Next time check your facts before you tweet nonsense.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 15, 2019
Thompson responded by noting that he is listed in the directory as “staff” — not as a boyfriend or spouse. He additionally noted that the House doesn’t use Google.
He’s not your spouse. Is he being paid? At what level? It says “staff” not spouse or boyfriend.
Furthermore he doesn’t appear to be in any groups and the House doesn’t use Google. Are you giving him access to your official calendar? Why does he have his own email address?
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
It doesn't make sense. The House doesn't use Google Calendar, and he's in the staff directory as on her staff. She's lying. pic.twitter.com/DZrB5T8Fhh
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
New from a friend inside the House. Seems like more than calendar access to me. Care to revise your statement @AOC? pic.twitter.com/Sr2HAUOkW7
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
Unclear at what title or pay grade he was hired as he isn't in Legistorm yet. But it's a bad look. pic.twitter.com/yUbRPik4Vt
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
He’s in the staff directory. He IS listed as an employee.
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
Thompson also posted a link to Roberts’ LinkedIn profile — causing the boyfriend to quickly delete his entire profile.
Mr. Roberts has deleted his LinkedIn profile. pic.twitter.com/RUtt4Kbu3F
— Luke Thompson (@ltthompso) February 15, 2019
Thompson’s account was reinstated shortly after the suspension. Ocasio-Cortez has not responded to his fact-check.
