Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, reportedly requested a "sexy pic" from a staffer in 2024, according to text messages obtained by HuffPost and other news outlets. This revelation directly challenges the congressman's persistent claims that he never had an affair with the woman involved.
Details of the Text Message Exchange
The staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who tragically died last year after setting herself on fire, resisted Gonzales' advances in the messages. Sent after midnight on May 9, 2024, Santos-Aviles responded to his request by stating, "You don't really want a hot picture of me." Gonzales replied, "I'm just such a visual person," to which she pushed back, saying, "This is going too far boss."
Husband's Allegations and Aftermath
In June 2024, Santos-Aviles' husband, Adrian Aviles, texted from her phone to several other staffers in Gonzales' office, identifying himself and announcing their impending divorce. He claimed, "she's been having an affair on me with your boss Tony Gonzales for some time now." Aviles later told the San Antonio Express-News that after he sent these texts, colleagues "black-sheeped her" and attempted to force her out of her job.
Gonzales' Response and Political Context
A spokesperson for Gonzales did not respond to requests for comment on the text messages. However, in a social media post on Sunday, Gonzales asserted he is the victim of a coordinated political attack. He wrote, "During my six years in Congress not a single formal complaint has been levied against my office. Now days away from an election, coordinated political attacks reign in. IT WONT WORK. Half way through early voting and the intensity resides w/ TG voters. I'd rather be us than them."
Gonzales is currently facing a Republican primary challenge next month from YouTube gun influencer Brandon Herrera, also known as "The AK Guy," who narrowly lost to him in the 2024 primary. Herrera commented on the texts, stating, "It is now clear to me Tony Gonzales is a sexual predator, who abused his position of power and wrecked a family. I also now know this is not the only case," and called for Gonzales' resignation.
Legal Implications and Accountability
The situation has sparked potential legal action under the Congressional Accountability Act, a law designed to protect congressional staffers from sexual harassment and retaliation by members of Congress. Bobby Barrera, attorney for Adrian Aviles, explained that while they do not blame Gonzales for Santos-Aviles' death, they hold him responsible for the destruction of her life. Barrera stated, "He didn't put a gun to her head. But is he the impetus which caused the breakup of the marriage? Of course. Did he do the workplace retaliation? Of course. Did he pigeonhole her and prevent her from advancing her career after the discovery of the affair? Absolutely."
Initially, Aviles pursued the claim discreetly, offering to sign a non-disclosure agreement to shield his 8-year-old son from the scandal. The story became public last week after another staffer disclosed the events to the San Antonio Express-News.
