Congressman Tony Gonzales Admits to Relationship with Staffer Amid Ethics Investigation
In a candid interview, Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas has publicly acknowledged having a sexual relationship with a staffer who later died by suicide. This admission comes just hours after the House Ethics Committee announced it would investigate the Republican congressman for potential misconduct.
Gonzales Takes Responsibility for Actions
Speaking to conservative talk show host Joe "Pags" Pagliarulo on March 4, Gonzales expressed remorse for his actions. "I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment, and there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions," he stated. Gonzales added that he has reconciled with his wife, Angel, and sought forgiveness from God, affirming that his faith remains strong.
Ethics Committee Launches Formal Probe
Earlier on March 4, the House Ethics Committee voted to investigate Gonzales to determine if he engaged in sexual misconduct with an employee in his congressional office or unfairly dispensed special favors. Relationships between members of Congress and their staffers are strictly prohibited under the House Code of Official Conduct. Gonzales told Pagliarulo that he looks forward to the investigation, as reported by People magazine.
Background and Political Implications
The interview was published a day after the Texas primary elections, where Gonzales, 45, failed to secure 50% of the vote in his House district. This outcome forces him into a runoff election against gun activist Brandon Herrera on May 26. The winner will face Democrat Katy Padilla Stout in the November general election.
Details of the Alleged Relationship
On February 17, the San Antonio Express-News reported that the staffer, identified as Santos-Aviles, confided in a former colleague about a romantic relationship with Gonzales in 2024. She allegedly fell into depression after her husband learned of the affair. An anonymous source provided the outlet with a screenshot of a text message from Santos-Aviles, in which she confessed to an "affair with our boss."
People magazine also obtained text messages allegedly sent by Gonzales to Santos-Aviles on May 9, 2024, where he asked her to "send me a sexy pic." In response, Santos-Aviles appeared to express discomfort, saying, "I just don't like taking pictures of myself," to which Gonzales allegedly replied, "I’m such a visual person."
Gonzales Responds to Tragedy and Allegations
In the interview, Gonzales described Santos-Aviles' death as "a shock to everyone" and disputed reports that she was not thriving at work, asserting the opposite was true. When asked about the authenticity of the leaked text messages, Gonzales deferred to the ongoing investigation, stating, "I’ll let the investigation play out and share all the different details on it. I will say there’s a whole lot more to this story that isn’t out there."
Political Fallout and Calls for Resignation
While some Republicans have called for Gonzales to resign, House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of due process. "As in every case like this, you have to allow the investigations to play out and all the facts to come out," Johnson told reporters, per NPR. He warned that if accusations alone were grounds for removal, many in Congress would face expulsion.
Gonzales remains confident in his political future, telling CNN after the investigation was announced, "This is my third runoff in four cycles. We’ll win this runoff as well."
