Adrian Aviles, the husband of late staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, publicly accused Rep. Tony Gonzales of being a “predator” on Wednesday, amid ongoing allegations of an affair.
Aviles claims that Gonzales has been lying to the American people and denied the affair allegations despite evidence he believes supports the claims.
Alleged Affair and Text Messages
In an interview with CNN’s Erin Burnett on OutFront, Aviles explained why he released alleged text messages between Gonzales and his wife, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles. Aviles accused Gonzales of continuing to deceive the public about his involvement with his late wife, who passed away in 2024.
“You know, the guy’s a predator. You know, he’s continued to lie to the American people, his constituents,” Aviles stated during the interview, providing further details about why he felt compelled to go public with the allegations.
Gonzales has denied the affair, claiming that he is being blackmailed. He also refuted any involvement in his staffer’s tragic death. Despite these claims, the controversy surrounding the congressman continues to grow as he faces mounting pressure ahead of his upcoming primary election.
Rep. Gonzales Denies Allegations
Gonzales, a Texas Republican, has firmly denied the accusations of having an affair with Santos-Aviles. He acknowledged the release of text messages but insisted that what the public has seen is not the full picture.
“There will be an opportunity for all the details and facts to come out,” Gonzales said in a statement. “What you’ve seen is not all the facts. And there will be ample time for all of that to come out.”
His response has done little to quell the growing calls for his resignation from some of his fellow Republican colleagues, who have expressed concerns over the scandal’s impact on his political future.
Santos-Aviles’ Tragic Death
Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, a former staffer in Gonzales’ district office in Uvalde, Texas, died in September 2024. According to CNN affiliate KENS, the county medical examiner ruled her death as a suicide by self-immolation. This tragic event has added a layer of complexity to the affair allegations, with some suggesting that her death may be connected to the controversy.
Aviles’ Motivation for Going Public
During the interview, Aviles made it clear that his decision to go public with the allegations was not politically motivated. He stressed that he cared about revealing the truth, particularly regarding how Gonzales had allegedly continued to lie about his wife’s name and the events surrounding her death.
“This is not a political thing for me. I want everybody to know that. I don’t care two cents about the whole political matter behind it,” Aviles said. “I care about facts. I care about what he has done and how he’s continued to lie on Regina’s name.”
Aviles also emphasized that his actions were motivated by a desire to stand up for his family, particularly for his son. “This is not only about her, but this is also about my son and showing my son that, you know, we stand up to cowards. This guy is a coward,” Aviles added.
Growing Pressure on Gonzales
As the allegations continue to attract attention, Rep. Tony Gonzales finds himself under increasing scrutiny, especially as the primary election approaches. The controversy surrounding his personal life has now become a major point of focus in his re-election campaign, with political opponents and some Republican colleagues calling for him to step down.
The situation continues to evolve, and as more details emerge, the pressure on Gonzales to address these allegations and their impact on his political career is likely to intensify.
