A congressional ethics watchdog is scrutinizing Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) following allegations of an affair with an aide who tragically died last September after setting herself on fire.
The Office of Congressional Conduct initiated an investigation into the Texas Republican last year, revealed by Adrian Aviles, the late aide’s husband, and his attorney, Bobby Barrera.
Adrian Aviles, who was married to Regina Santos-Aviles, Gonzales’ regional director, received an official notice from the OCC in November 2025.
House regulations strictly forbid any sexual relationships between members and their staff.
Regina Santos-Aviles, at the age of 35, succumbed to her injuries in a hospital on September 14, a day after she set herself ablaze with gasoline.
Both Santos-Aviles’ husband, his legal representative, and a former staff member of Gonzales have claimed that the congressman, who is married with six children, had an affair with Santos-Aviles in May 2024.
The couple separated later that August after attending marriage counseling for several months.
Aviles and Barrera have since filed a separate claim under the Congressional Accountability Act seeking up to $300,000 in damages related to the congressman’s alleged sexual harassment and workplace retaliation against the widower’s spouse.
In exchange, the husband would sign a non-disclosure agreement related to the purported trysts with his late wife.
Gonzales accused both of seeking to “blackmail” him on Thursday.
The three-term lawmaker is facing a challenge from GOP candidate and YouTuber Brandon Herrera in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, with early voting already underway.
The primary is scheduled for March 3.
If substantiated, the OCC could eventually refer its findings to the House Ethics Committee for further investigation.
Reps for Gonzales’ congressional office and campaign, as well as the OCC, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
