Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales has publicly accused the husband of a deceased staffer of attempting to blackmail him, following revelations of an alleged affair. The claims emerged after the San Antonio Express-News reported that the staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, had confided in a colleague about her relationship with Gonzales while both were married. This controversy adds further complexity to Gonzales’ political future as he prepares for the upcoming primary elections.
In a post on social media platform X, Gonzales stated, “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED. Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death.” He accompanied the statement with a screenshot of an email that purportedly shows an attorney for Santos-Aviles’ husband, Adrian Aviles, demanding a settlement of up to $300,000 in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement. The email, lacking a date or time stamp, is signed by Robert Barrera, who represents Aviles.
Barrera later provided details in an interview, emphasizing that the first half of the email, which Gonzales did not share, discussed text messages between Gonzales and Santos-Aviles. He asserted that these messages could support a sexual harassment claim if the matter proceeded to court. “At a minimum,” Barrera stated, “the messages would support a sexual harassment claim.” He refrained from sharing the email directly with the press, citing confidentiality rules governing lawyer communications.
Gonzales has not publicly addressed the specific allegations regarding the affair but has accused his political opponent in the upcoming March 3 GOP primary of exploiting Santos-Aviles’ death for political gain. He has previously dismissed the affair allegations as false. Santos-Aviles tragically died last year after setting herself on fire in Uvalde.
In response to Gonzales’ claims, Adrian Aviles addressed the allegations on social media, asserting, “We have never blackmailed anyone,” and accusing Gonzales of evasion and dishonesty. Aviles’ legal representation indicated that they were considering a lawsuit under the Congressional Accountability Act, which permits staffers to sue for discrimination or harassment, potentially seeking damages of up to $300,000.
Barrera indicated that he still possesses Santos-Aviles’ phone and has downloaded her messages, leaving the decision to release them to Aviles. He highlighted the emotional turmoil Santos-Aviles experienced due to her relationship with Gonzales, suggesting it contributed to her tragic death.
Gonzales, a Navy veteran representing Texas’ 23rd Congressional District since 2021, is married with six children. His district, which includes parts of San Antonio, has drawn increased attention as the upcoming elections approach. In his social media statement, Gonzales called for the release of the police report regarding Santos-Aviles’ death, which Aviles claims is being withheld to protect their eight-year-old son.
“Nothing in that police report protects you,” Gonzales contended. “That decision is about protecting our child’s well-being, not concealing anything improper.”
Rumors regarding the affair began circulating after Current Revolt published a report in September about Santos-Aviles’ death. At a festival in November, Gonzales publicly dismissed the allegations as “completely untruthful.”
A recent text message, disclosed by the Express-News, revealed Santos-Aviles had confessed to another former staffer that she had an affair with Gonzales. This staffer denied receiving any compensation or promise of payment from the congressman’s political opponents.
Adrian Aviles has since stated that Gonzales “abused his power” and that attempts were made to push Santos-Aviles out of her job upon learning of the affair. He recounted her struggles following the revelation, noting that she often expressed suicidal thoughts. In September 2025, Santos-Aviles set herself on fire at their home and succumbed to her injuries the following day at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio.
As Gonzales faces a tough challenge from political opponents, including gun rights advocate Brandon Herrera, the implications of these allegations may significantly impact his re-election campaign. Former Representative Quico Canseco and Marine Corps veteran Keith Barton are also vying for the GOP nomination.
The 23rd Congressional District, now under new boundaries, was won by former President Donald Trump by a margin of 15 percentage points in the 2024 elections. Democrats have expressed an increased interest in contesting the seat this November, with four candidates currently competing for their party’s nomination. Neither Trump nor House Speaker Mike Johnson have commented on the allegations surrounding Gonzales.
This article first appeared in the Texas Tribune.
