Widower Accuses Texas Congressman of Contributing to Wife's Suicide Following Alleged Affair
The husband of a congressional aide who died by suicide last year has publicly condemned Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, accusing him of hypocrisy and playing a role in his wife's death. Adrian Aviles, in an emotional interview with CNN's Erin Burnett, slammed Gonzales for promoting "family values" while allegedly engaging in an affair with his wife, Regina Santos-Aviles.
Allegations of Affair and Denial
Aviles revealed that his marriage deteriorated after he discovered text messages from 2024 between Gonzales and his wife, which included a request from the lawmaker for a "sexy pic." Several Republicans have since called for Gonzales to resign or suspend his reelection campaign in response to these allegations. However, Gonzales has denied the affair, claiming he is being blackmailed and stating to CNN's Manu Raju that "what you've seen is not all the facts." He has refused to step down from his position.
Emotional Impact and Accusations
Aviles described how his wife entered a depressive episode following the affair, ultimately taking her own life by setting herself on fire. He emphasized that while Gonzales did not directly cause her death, he "played a role in it" by "predatorizing" his wife and pushing her into the affair. Aviles expressed anger over Gonzales' denial, accusing him of deflecting and lying, and stated that he has only released "a tip of the iceberg" of the messages exchanged.
Focus on Protecting Family and Seeking Truth
In the interview, Aviles stressed that his primary concern is protecting his son, and he vowed not to release more graphic messages that he possesses. He denied any political motivation behind exposing the text messages, asserting that he cares about the facts and how Gonzales has continued to "lie on Regina's name." Aviles challenged Gonzales to face the full truth, betting that the congressman does not want all messages released, which he claims would reveal "how gross of a man he is."
This controversy highlights tensions within political circles and raises questions about accountability and personal conduct among public officials.
