Texas Rep Tony Gonzales Faces Ethics Probe Over Alleged Affair with Late Aide

An ethics investigation into Congressman Tony Gonzales has started just days before a primary election. This is due to allegations of an affair with his late former aide.
By Newsroom | Politics, Texas |

Scandal Unfolds Amidst Election Season

The political landscape in Texas's 23rd District is currently marked by significant controversy surrounding Representative Tony Gonzales. In the closing days before a primary election, allegations of an affair between Gonzales and his late former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, have surfaced, leading to an ethics investigation and a shift in public opinion, as indicated by a recent poll. These claims, amplified by the publication of text messages purportedly from Santos-Aviles, have prompted calls for Gonzales's resignation and the retraction of endorsements from prominent news outlets.

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Timeline of Events and Key Actors

The controversy centers on allegations that Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican representing Texas's 23rd District, engaged in an affair with Regina Santos-Aviles, who served as his regional district director. The timeline of these events, as pieced together from various reports, indicates the following:

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  • Past Relationship: According to former staffer accounts, Santos-Aviles allegedly admitted to an affair with Gonzales in 2024. At the time, both Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were married to other individuals.

  • Discovery and Distress: Santos-Aviles reportedly confided in a colleague in May of an unspecified year, expressing distress because her husband, Adrian Aviles, had discovered text messages that appeared to confirm the affair.

  • Death of Aide: Regina Santos-Aviles died in last year from injuries sustained after setting herself on fire in her Uvalde home. Authorities have ruled her death a suicide.

  • Public Revelation: In the days leading up to the current primary election, text messages allegedly from Santos-Aviles have been published. These messages, according to the reporting outlet, indicate her admission of an affair with Gonzales.

  • Media and Political Fallout: The reporting on these allegations has led to:

  • An ethics investigation into Representative Gonzales.

  • The retraction of an endorsement by the San Antonio Express-News.

  • A recent poll suggesting a decline in support for Gonzales.

  • Calls for his resignation.

  • Accusations from Gonzales that the timing of these reports is politically motivated, aimed at his opponent, Brandon Herrera.

Evidence and Substantiation

The core of the allegations rests upon the existence and content of text messages.

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  • Reported Text Messages:

  • The Daily Caller reports having seen text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles, and asserts they make it clear Gonzales "abused his position of power."

  • The New York Post and Dallas Express cite a text message from Santos-Aviles to a colleague, admitting to an affair with Gonzales months before her death.

  • NBC News states that Adrian Aviles told news outlets he discovered texts between his wife and the congressman that he believed confirmed an affair.

  • Verification Status:

  • NBC News explicitly states they have not verified the text messages.

  • Barrera, representing Aviles, informed NBC News that they are working to release the text messages, but they have not yet been produced to NBC News.

  • Denials and Statements:

  • Gonzales has previously dismissed allegations of an affair as untrue.

  • Following the recent reporting, Gonzales has stated that he believes the timing of the allegations is politically motivated.

  • Gonzales has declined to answer detailed questions about the alleged affair.

Allegations of Affair and Abuse of Power

Reports suggest that Regina Santos-Aviles admitted to an affair with Representative Tony Gonzales. The context of this alleged relationship, particularly the power dynamic between a congressman and his staffer, is a central focus.

  • Admission of Affair:

  • Multiple reports cite text messages where Santos-Aviles allegedly admitted to the affair with Gonzales.

  • Adrian Aviles claims to have discovered text messages that confirmed the affair.

  • Abuse of Power:

  • The Daily Caller states it has seen texts and concludes Gonzales "abused his position of power and wrecked a family."

  • The nature of the alleged affair raises questions about potential violations of House ethics rules, as Santos-Aviles was a member of Gonzales's staff. This constitutes a breach of public trust, especially given Gonzales's initial denials.

Impact on Public Perception and Support

The unfolding scandal has coincided with an important election period, with significant reported consequences for Representative Gonzales's standing.

  • Public Opinion Shift: A recent poll cited by the Daily Caller suggests that Gonzales's support is "crumbling." Another report mentions that challenger Brandon Herrera is shown overtaking Gonzales in a recent poll.

  • Loss of Endorsements: The San Antonio Express-News has retracted its endorsement of Gonzales, stating the congressman "has questions to answer."

  • Calls for Resignation: Reports indicate that calls for Gonzales to resign have emerged following these allegations.

Ethical and Investigative Scrutiny

The allegations have triggered formal investigative processes and public scrutiny regarding Representative Gonzales's conduct.

  • Ethics Investigation: Representative Gonzales is currently facing an ethics investigation related to the alleged affair.

  • Withholding of Records: The City of Uvalde is reportedly likely to withhold most records pertaining to Santos-Aviles' death, following a decision by the Attorney General. This action may limit the full public examination of the circumstances surrounding her death.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The allegations against Representative Tony Gonzales, including an alleged affair with his late aide Regina Santos-Aviles, have created significant political and ethical turmoil. The existence of text messages purportedly confirming the affair, coupled with the death of Santos-Aviles, has intensified scrutiny. While Gonzales has denied the allegations and suggested political motivation, an ethics investigation is underway. The retraction of endorsements and a reported decline in public support underscore the seriousness of the situation. Further developments are anticipated as the ethics investigation progresses and any potential release of further evidence, such as the text messages mentioned by Aviles's attorney, unfolds.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Congressman Tony Gonzales facing an ethics investigation?
Congressman Tony Gonzales is under investigation for an alleged affair with his late former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles. Text messages have reportedly surfaced that suggest the affair took place.
Q: What is the connection between Congressman Tony Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles?
Regina Santos-Aviles was a former regional district director for Congressman Tony Gonzales. Reports claim she admitted to an affair with him before her death last year.
Q: When did the allegations about Congressman Tony Gonzales and his aide come out?
Allegations of an affair between Congressman Tony Gonzales and his late former aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, became public in the days before the primary election in Texas's 23rd District.
Q: What evidence exists about the alleged affair between Tony Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles?
Reports cite text messages allegedly from Regina Santos-Aviles admitting to an affair with Congressman Tony Gonzales. Her husband also claims to have found texts confirming the affair, though some news outlets have not verified these messages.
Q: What has been the impact of these allegations on Tony Gonzales's election?
The allegations have led to an ethics investigation, the retraction of an endorsement by the San Antonio Express-News, and a recent poll suggesting a drop in support for Congressman Gonzales just before the primary election.
Q: Has Tony Gonzales responded to the allegations of an affair?
Congressman Tony Gonzales has denied the allegations and stated he believes the timing of the reports is politically motivated to help his opponent. He has not answered detailed questions about the alleged affair.