Congressman Tony Gonzales Confronts Major Scandal Over Alleged Affair With Deceased Staffer
US Representative Tony Gonzales finds himself at the heart of a deepening political and personal scandal, as explosive allegations surface regarding an alleged affair with a former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, who tragically died by suicide in September. The claims, supported by her husband and a former aide with purported evidence, threaten to unravel the public image of Gonzales, a married MAGA supporter and Catholic father of six children.
Former Staffer and Husband Allege Affair with Sexual Messages
A former aide to Gonzales has come forward, asserting that the congressman engaged in a secret relationship with Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. According to reports from the San Antonio Express News, this aide possesses text messages as evidence, which allegedly show Gonzales soliciting sexual photographs from Regina. The aide detailed that Regina confided in him about the affair, revealing how her marriage deteriorated after her husband, Adrian Aviles, discovered the explicit communications.
Adrian Aviles has publicly corroborated these allegations, stating he found messages of a "very sexual nature" from Congressman Gonzales on his wife's phone around May 2024. Aviles told the Daily Mail that Regina felt coerced into the relationship and even considered filing a sexual harassment lawsuit. He believes the situation escalated when he contacted Gonzales's team about the affair, leading to Regina being pushed out of her job with a month's leave.
Gonzales's Response and the 'Open Secret'
Initially, Gonzales dismissed all gossip about the alleged affair as baseless rumors. However, insiders described it as an "open secret" within political circles. In light of the renewed allegations and evidence, Gonzales has issued a statement attempting to distance himself from the scandal. He declared, "I am not going to engage in these personal smears and instead will remain focused on helping President Trump secure the border and improve the lives of all Texans." This response has done little to quell the growing controversy.
Tragic Outcome and Husband's Perspective
The alleged affair had devastating consequences. According to the former aide, Regina spiraled into depression after Gonzales cut off contact following her husband's discovery of their messages. This emotional turmoil culminated in September 2025, when Regina set herself on fire, resulting in her death. Adrian Aviles, now estranged from his wife, believes her death was an accident, asserting that she would never have intentionally taken her own life because of her deep love for their son. He maintains that the pressure from the affair and its aftermath contributed to her tragic end.
The scandal raises serious questions about workplace ethics, power dynamics, and mental health in political environments. As investigations and public scrutiny intensify, Tony Gonzales's political future hangs in the balance, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder.
