Representative Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas) has been accused of misusing his position by having an affair with his staff member, Regina Santos-Aviles. This revelation comes as her husband, Adrian Aviles, speaks out for the first time regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding her death, which he claims was a suicide by arson.
Adrian Aviles believes that Gonzalez should be held accountable for engaging in a romantic relationship with his wife, who was a subordinate. Reports indicate that Gonzalez faced backlash from fellow Texas Republicans after the affair became public.
“I always said the truth would eventually come out, and now it’s here,” Aviles stated during an interview. “Tony abused his power and ought to be held to a higher standard as a leader.”
In response to the allegations, Gonzalez stated that he would not engage in personal attacks and that his focus remains on issues like securing the border and improving the lives of Texans.
Aviles, now 40, shared that he discovered texts between his wife and Gonzalez after returning from a jiu-jitsu class on May 31, 2024. He looked over her shoulder and saw her texting Gonzalez.
When he confronted her, she warned him that he “wouldn’t like what [he] would see.” After taking her phone, he found emails that he described as “very sexual” in nature. According to him, the affair may have been ongoing for at least two weeks.
Tragically, on September 13, 2025, Santos-Aviles allegedly poured gasoline on herself and set herself on fire in their Uvalde, Texas backyard. She succumbed to her injuries the following day.
Aviles feels compelled to speak out now to counteract what he perceives as Gonzalez’s misrepresentation of his wife’s character.
Gonzalez has not denied the relationship. In a statement prior to the publication of Aviles’s interview, he reiterated that he would not engage in personal slurs, emphasizing his commitment to public service instead.
The congressman described Mr. Santos Aviles as a compassionate individual dedicated to bettering his community, highlighting her contributions to school safety and local health initiatives. He criticized his political rival for using this tragedy to gain political leverage, noting that the timing was particularly insensitive as early voting was set to begin.
