Rep. Tony Gonzales Admits Relationship With Former Staffer Amid Ethics Probe

Texas Congressman Acknowledges Relationship With Former Staffer

Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas acknowledged in a radio interview on Wednesday that he had a relationship with a former staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles, who later died by suicide. He made the admission when questioned by conservative radio host Joe Pags about an alleged affair.

During the interview, Gonzales stated, “I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions.” He said he has reconciled with his wife, Angel, and referenced asking God for forgiveness.

Text Messages and Staffer’s Death

In May 2024, Gonzales sent explicit text messages to Santos-Aviles, including a request for a “sexy pic.” In one exchange, Gonzales wrote, “This is going too far boss.” In another message, Santos-Aviles told a colleague, “I had affair with our boss and I'm fine.”

Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire. Her death was officially ruled a suicide. In the Wednesday interview, Gonzales said, “I had absolutely nothing to do with her tragic passing. And in fact, I was shocked just as much as everyone else.”

House Ethics Committee Investigation

Hours before Gonzales’ remarks, the House Ethics Committee announced an investigation into whether he “engaged in sexual misconduct” with an employee or “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.” The House of Representatives’ code of conduct states that lawmakers may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee who works under their supervision and prohibits unwelcome sexual advances or conduct toward staff.

Gonzales said he would “let the investigation play out” and indicated there was “a whole lot more to the story.” He also stated that at no time was Santos-Aviles “reprimanded or rewarded in any form or fashion other than anyone else in the office,” and said a raise she received was part of a “staff-wide pay increase.”

Political Context and Runoff Election

The interview occurred one day after the GOP primary in Gonzales’ House district along the U.S.-Mexico border. In that primary, Gonzales and hard-right challenger Brandon Herrera both advanced to a runoff election in May after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote. Gonzales noted that it is the third time he has faced a primary runoff and said he expects to win the GOP primary. In 2024, Gonzales defeated Herrera by around 400 votes.

Following Gonzales’ public acknowledgment of the relationship, Herrera reacted on social media, asserting that Gonzales had previously called him a liar over the same allegations. Since the text messages became public, members of both parties have called on Gonzales to resign. In the interview, Gonzales suggested he does not intend to step down.

Dispute Over Alleged Blackmail and Family Impact

Gonzales previously denied having an affair with Santos-Aviles and has claimed that her husband, Adrian Aviles, attempted to blackmail him. He posted a letter online in which Aviles’ attorney appeared to seek a $300,000 settlement. On Wednesday, Gonzales repeated that allegation, saying Adrian Aviles was “trying to shake me down.”

Aviles’ attorney, Bobby Barrera, has denied the extortion claim, describing the correspondence as a standard confidential settlement letter and accusing Gonzales of “trying to play the victim.”

Santos-Aviles and her husband had an 8-year-old son. In an interview last month, Adrian Aviles addressed Gonzales directly, saying, “You ended a family because of your predatorial instincts.”