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Months Before Death by Suicide, Aide Texted Colleague She Had an Affair with Her Boss, Rep. Tony Gonzales
A former aide admitted to an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales before dying by self-immolation; the allegation is fueling a heated GOP primary amid calls for his resignation.
- 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.
55 Articles
55 Articles
Texas congressman claims he’s being ‘blackmailed’ over alleged affair with staffer who later died
HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas claimed Thursday he was 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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