Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas acknowledged for the primary time Wednesday that he had a relationship with a former staffer who later died by suicide, however alleged the controversy that has engulfed the state of affairs is “about energy and cash.”
“I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a scarcity of religion, and I take full duty for these actions,” he advised conservative radio host Joe Pags when requested if the alleged affair came about. “Since then, I’ve reconciled with my spouse, Angel. I’ve requested God to forgive me, which he has, and my religion is as sturdy as ever.”
CBS Information has obtained a textual content trade from Could 2024 during which Gonzales despatched specific messages to former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, asking her to ship a “attractive pic.” At one level, Gonzales responds: “That is going too far boss.” CBS Information has additionally obtained a message during which Santos-Aviles advised a colleague: “I had affair with our boss and I am high quality.”
Santos-Aviles died in September 2025 after setting herself on fireplace. Her loss of life was dominated a suicide.
Gonzales stated in Wednesday’s interview: “I had completely nothing to do together with her tragic passing. And in reality, I used to be shocked simply as a lot as everybody else.”
The lawmaker spoke to Pags at some point after the GOP main in his Home district alongside the U.S.-Mexico border. Gonzales and hard-right challenger Brandon Herrera each superior to a runoff election in Could after neither candidate cleared 50% of the vote.
Herrera reacted on social media to the Gonzales statements, saying, “2 weeks in the past this man known as me a liar as a result of I accused him of committing the heinous acts that he simply publicly admitted to doing. Is there anybody left who nonetheless trusts this now objectively confirmed liar?”
Gonzales additionally spoke out simply hours after the Home Ethics Committee introduced an investigation into whether or not Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct” with an worker or “discriminated unfairly by dishing out particular favors or privileges.”
The Home of Representatives’ code of conduct says lawmakers “might not interact in a sexual relationship with any worker of the Home who works underneath the supervision of the Member.” It additionally bans “unwelcome sexual advances or conduct” towards workers.
Because the textual content messages had been made public, Gonzales has confronted calls to resign from members of each events.
In Wednesday’s interview, Gonzales instructed that he does not intend to resign and stated he expects to win the GOP main, noting that it is the third time he has confronted a main runoff. In 2024, Gonzales defeated Herrera by round 400 votes.
Gonzales didn’t supply many specifics on his relationship with Santos-Aviles or touch upon the obvious textual content messages between him and the staffer, saying, “I will let the investigation play out.” However he stated, “there’s a complete lot extra to the story.”
Requested if he understands why individuals could also be involved a couple of relationship between a boss and a subordinate, Gonzales acknowledged that “it can be crucial that we now have the dialog, you already know, on office atmosphere and ensuring that sure issues don’t happen.”
However the congressman additionally argued that media protection of the allegations has been skewed, and instructed the controversy is coordinated and politicized.
“From day one, this has been about energy and cash,” Gonzales advised Pags, saying that individuals have “been attacking me for months on this.”
Gonzales additionally stated: “At no time was she reprimanded or rewarded in any type or style apart from anybody else within the workplace.” He stated a increase that Santos-Aviles acquired was a part of a “staff-wide pay improve.”
Previously, Gonzales has denied having an affair with Santos-Aviles. He has additionally instructed her husband is making an attempt to blackmail him, posting a letter to X final month during which her husband’s legal professional appeared to hunt a $300,000 settlement with the congressman.
Gonzales reiterated a few of these allegations Wednesday, saying Santos-Aviles’ husband — Adrian Aviles — was “making an attempt to shake me down.”
Aviles’ legal professional, Bobby Barrera, has beforehand denied the extortion claims to CBS Information, calling it an ordinary confidential settlement letter and accusing Gonzales of “making an attempt to play the sufferer.”
Santos-Aviles and her husband, Adrian Aviles, had an 8-year-old son. Aviles stated in an interview with CBS Information final month: “You ended a household due to your predatorial instincts.”
For those who or somebody you already know is in emotional misery or a suicidal disaster, you may attain the 988 Suicide & Disaster Lifeline by calling or texting 988. You may also chat with the 988 Suicide & Disaster Lifeline right here.
For extra details about psychological well being care sources and help, The Nationwide Alliance on Psychological Sickness (NAMI) HelpLine may be reached Monday via Friday, 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Japanese Time at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or electronic mail data@nami.org.
