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Months Before Death by Suicide, Aide Texted Colleague She Had an Affair with Her Boss, Rep. Tony Gonzales
Regina Santos-Aviles, a former aide to Rep. Tony Gonzales, died by suicide after her affair with Gonzales led to workplace demotion and social ostracism, sources say.
- On May 29, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, regional director for Rep. Tony Gonzales's Uvalde office, disclosed an affair and later set herself on fire, dying at Brooke Army Medical Center.
- Following the demotion, Gonzales cut her off and canceled meetings, while her husband Adrian Santos-Aviles saw her spiral into depression and attempt suicide.
- An ex-staffer told the San Antonio Express-News Santos-Aviles spent one to two hours alone with Gonzales at a staffer's cabin on two occasions, and Barrera says they have all the texts.
- The San Antonio Express-News withdrew its endorsement, and Brandon Herrera, GOP primary challenger, escalated the campaign fight with allegations against Rep. Tony Gonzales.
- With the campaign underway, Gonzales, who is seeking reelection, largely declined answers and skipped the funeral as family and advocates say the incident has become a political football.
75 Articles
75 Articles
Associated Press News
Texas congressman claims he's being 'blackmailed' over alleged affair with staffer who later died
Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas is claiming he's being “blackmailed” following a report he allegedly had an affair with a former staffer who later died after she set herself on fire.
Allegations of affair with aide rock Tony Gonzales reelection bid
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) is facing increasing scrutiny over allegations that he had an affair with a staffer who died after lighting herself on fire last year, rocking his competitive reelection bid just weeks before his March 3 primary. Gonzales has said that the allegations are “personal smears” being used by his primary opponent to [...]
Tony Gonzales accuses dead staffer's husband of blackmail
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) claimed on Thursday he was being blackmailed by the husband of a former staffer who died by setting herself on fire. Gonzales posted a note on X from the lawyer of Adrian Aviles, the widower of former congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, requesting a $300,000 settlement. “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” Gonzales wrote on X. “Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death. The public sh…
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