Tony Gonzales accuses dead staffer’s husband of blackmail
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales,a Republican from Texas,says he is being blackmailed by Adrian Aviles,husband of Regina Santos-Aviles—the former staffer who died after setting herself on fire. Aviles allegedly demanded a $300,000 settlement. Gonzales tweeted, “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” and urged full access to the Uvalde Police report while continuing his TX-23 campaign. Aviles denied the accusation, accusing Gonzales of evasion and falsehoods to protect his image, and suggesting a broader pattern of misconduct. The article also notes allegations of an affair between Gonzales and Regina Santos-Aviles, which the San antonio Express-News reported; Gonzales has denied the affair. Regina Santos-Aviles’ death was ruled a suicide by police. The piece places these events in the context of Gonzales’ primary race, where he faces challenger Brandon Herrera ahead of the Texas primary on March 3.
Tony Gonzales accuses dead staffer’s husband of blackmail
Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) claimed on Thursday he was being blackmailed by the husband of a former staffer who died by setting herself on fire.
Gonzales posted a note on X from the lawyer of Adrian Aviles, the widower of former congressional staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, requesting a $300,000 settlement.
“I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” Gonzales wrote on X. “Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death. The public should IMMEDIATELY have full access to the Uvalde Police report. I will keep fighting for #TX23.”
Aviles responded promptly to the post, denying the allegation.
“We have never blackmailed anyone,” Aviles wrote in response. “What we’ve seen instead is a consistent pattern of evasion, refusal to take accountability, and outright lies to protect your image. You’re a classic case of a two-faced politician who says whatever is convenient to save face.”
Aviles told the San Antonio Express-News that Gonzales engaged in an affair with his wife, who was the congressman’s regional district director. The outlet had previously published a text message, shared by a former Gonzales staffer, in which Santos-Aviles acknowledged the affair.
Last year, authorities said Santos-Aviles poured gasoline on herself outside her home and set herself on fire, and she died the next day at a hospital in San Antonio. Police ruled the death a suicide.
HUSBAND OF TONY GONZALES STAFFER WHO DIED BY SUICIDE CALLS ON REPUBLICAN TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY
Gonzales has denied the affair. The three-term congressman is facing a heated primary challenge from Second Amendment activist Brandon Herrera. Gonzales narrowly defeated Herrera in 2024 for the Republican nomination.
The Texas primary is slated for March 3.
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