SAN ANTONIO, TX – An attorney representing the widower of Rep. Tony Gonzales’ former aide alleges the Texas Republican coerced the staffer into a sexual relationship before her death by suicide last September.
Attorney Bobby Barrera, representing Adrien Aviles, claims his late wife Regina Santos-Aviles was sexually harassed by the congressman who represents a sprawling district along the U.S.-Mexico border. Santos-Aviles died by suicide in September after setting herself on fire, according to the autopsy report.
Text messages obtained by CBS News show Santos-Aviles told a colleague she “had an affair with our boss” months before her death. Barrera said forensic downloads from Santos-Aviles’ phone allegedly show Gonzales pushed the staffer into a sexual relationship, with Santos-Aviles at times communicating that Gonzales was “going too far” and that she was hired for her appearance.
Gonzales has denied all allegations of a sexual relationship with Santos-Aviles. In November, he told Punchbowl News “the rumors are completely untruthful.” His office has not responded to CBS News requests for comment on the current allegations.
The congressman has accused Barrera of attempting blackmail after the attorney sent a settlement letter seeking $300,000 under the Congressional Accountability Act. Gonzales posted excerpts of the letter on social media with the caption: “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED. Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death.”
Barrera denied the extortion claims, saying the letter was a standard confidential settlement proposal sent to Gonzales’ attorney outlining workplace harassment claims. “Any claim of extortion implies that he actually did something wrong and that we want money to keep our mouth shut,” Barrera said.
The attorney described the relationship as “an open, shielded secret” among staff that was maintained at Gonzales’ request. Public records show Santos-Aviles received an $18,000 salary increase from approximately $54,000 to $72,000 shortly after her husband allegedly discovered the affair through text messages.
Barrera attributed Santos-Aviles’ mental health decline directly to Gonzales’ workplace conduct, stating there were no documented mental health issues prior to the alleged relationship. Gonzales did not attend Santos-Aviles’ funeral, instead appearing on a podcast that day to discuss political violence.
The allegations surface as Gonzales faces a competitive Republican primary. President Trump has endorsed him, but he is being challenged by Brandon Herrera, whom he narrowly defeated in 2024 after the race went to a runoff. Texas will hold its primary elections on March 3, with early voting already underway.
