Texas congressman under ethics investigation over alleged affair with staffer who killed herself

A congressional ethics watchdog is investigating Texas GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales over his reported affair with a staffer who later died after setting herself on fire.

The Office of Congressional Conduct months ago opened an investigation of possible House rules violations tied to the alleged extramarital relationship between the lawmaker and Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.

A letter from investigators to her widower, Adrian Aviles, sought “all documents and communications” that he has “relating to Regina Santos-Aviles’ relationship with Rep. Tony Gonzales,” the San Antonio Express-News reported.

The investigators “may request the opportunity to interview you and any individuals identified in response to these requests.”

Mr. Aviles told the newspaper that the congressional watchdog reached out to him unprompted.

The ethics agency investigated the case last year as well, Punchbowl News reported.

Mr. Gonzales could face a House Ethics Committee investigation, which has the authority to investigate and impose sanctions, if investigators determine further action is warranted.

As the lawmaker is preparing for a contested March 3 Republican primary, the ethics agency cannot make any referral within 60 days of an election — but it can take place right after.

This development comes on the heels of the Express-News reporting on messages between Santos-Aviles and a former colleague in the Uvalde district office, in which she references an “affair with our boss.”

Her husband had learned about the relationship and demanded she end it. Santos-Aviles then became depressed, the former colleague said.

Santos-Aviles died on Sept. 14 after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire outside her Uvalde home.

The letter from the ethics investigators is dated Nov. 25.

On Thursday, Mr. Gonzales, who has publicly denied the affair, accused Mr. Aviles and his lawyer, Robert Barrera, of trying to blackmail him.

Mr. Barrera proposed a $300,000 settlement and a nondisclosure agreement.

He and his client are preparing to publicly release some of the 3,500 text messages between Mr. Gonzales and Santos-Aviles, including those sexual in nature, the New York Post reported.