By JUAN A. LOZANO
HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas claimed Thursday he was being “blackmailed” following a report he allegedly had an affair with a former staffer who later died.
The declare by the married Republican congressman comes after the San Antonio Categorical-Information reported that it had obtained textual content messages through which the previous staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to a colleague that she had an affair with the lawmaker.
The Related Press has not independently obtained copies of the messages. On Thursday, an legal professional for Adrian Aviles, Santos-Aviles’ husband, mentioned the husband had discovered concerning the affair previous to his spouse’s demise.
A spokesperson and an legal professional for Gonzales, who’s operating for reelection in Texas’ March 3 main, didn’t instantly reply to emails in search of remark. On social media, the congressman posted a partial screenshot of an e-mail from the husband’s legal professional and accused him of in search of cash.
“I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” Gonzales wrote in a publish on the social media web site X on Thursday. “Disgusting to see folks revenue politically and financially off a tragic demise.”
Within the e-mail posted by Gonzales, legal professional Robert Barrera mentioned a doable lawsuit in opposition to the lawmaker and a possible settlement with a nondisclosure settlement. The e-mail says that the utmost recoverable quantity is $300,000.
Barrera denied he was attempting to blackmail Gonzales.
“It’s a determined try to make him look once more like a political sufferer,” Barrera instructed The AP in a telephone interview on Thursday. “There’s no blackmail right here. I imply, it’s simply ridiculous allegations.”
Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, 35, died in September 2025. The Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Workplace later dominated her demise as a suicide.
Gonzales, whose district stretches from San Antonio to El Paso and runs alongside the U.S.-Mexico border, has six kids along with his spouse
Based on Barrera, the e-mail that Gonzales posted on-line was a part of back-and-forth discussions he had been having with the lawmaker’s legal professional after Aviles determined he wished to get well damages by way of a possible lawsuit on behalf of his spouse underneath the Congressional Accountability Act.
The act offers authorized safety for workers within the legislative department in opposition to harassment, discrimination or retaliation.
Barrera claimed that after discovery of the alleged affair, Gonzales retaliated in opposition to Santos-Aviles by dramatically limiting her job duties and privileges and limiting her job development.
Gonzales has been endorsed by President Donald Trump and is going through a main problem from Brandon Herrera, who narrowly misplaced to Gonzales in 2024. Herrera has known as on Gonzales to resign in wake of the report.
In an announcement to the Texas Tribune this week, Gonzales known as Santos-Aviles “a sort soul who devoted her life to creating the neighborhood a greater place.” He went on to say he wouldn’t “interact in these private smears and as an alternative will stay centered on serving to President Trump safe the border and enhance the lives of all Texans.”
Barrera mentioned his consumer desires the lawmaker to acknowledge the alleged affair.
“There’s nothing political right here. There’s no demand for him to resign. That’s as much as the voters of that district, whether or not they need a person like Tony Gonzales to steer them into the long run,” Barrera mentioned.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Within the U.S., the nationwide suicide and disaster lifeline is accessible by calling or texting 988. There may be additionally a web based chat at 988lifeline.org
Observe Juan A. Lozano: https://x.com/juanlozano70
