‘I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED’: Rep. Gonzales accuses former aide’s husband of trying to profit from wife’s death, affair

SAN ANTONIO – One day after KSAT Investigates reported details of an alleged affair between U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales and a former aide, who died last year after setting herself on fire, the congressman defended himself on social media Thursday morning.

Gonzales’ post did not address the allegations of a romantic relationship with his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles.

Gonzales shared a post to his personal X, formerly known as Twitter, account with a caption and what appeared to be a portion of an emailed correspondence from San Antonio-area attorney Bobby Barrera.

“I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED,” Gonzales wrote in the post’s caption. “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."

Gonzales is currently campaigning for reelection in Texas’ 23rd Congressional District, which stretches from the West Side of San Antonio to El Paso.

Barrera is representing Adrian Aviles, Regina’s husband. While he said the couple separated over the affair, they did not file for divorce.

A portion of the screenshot shared by Gonzales was partially cut off. In the screenshot, Barrera emailed Gonzales about a potential “settlement with a Non-disclosure agreement.”

“If you are well enough to visit I would be happy to do so,” Barrera wrote to Gonzales, in part.

‘An act of desperation’

Barrera told KSAT Investigates Thursday he sent the email to Gonzales “at least a couple of months ago.”

“I was stunned. Absolutely in shock,” Barrera said when he learned of Gonzales’ social media post. “(I) was in disbelief that that letter, which was a confidential settlement negotiation to his (Gonzales’) lawyer, that he had the lack of common sense to publish that to the entire world.”

Barrera called Gonzales’ decision to post on X “an act of desperation on his part.”

“That we somehow, by asking him to acknowledge responsibility for his participation in an affair with a subordinate, that somehow we are in utilizing the Congressional Accountability Act, somehow blackmailing him to get to the truth,” Barrera said.

Barrera also provided clarity on the email Gonzales shared on social media.

“The agreement, as the part that he published clearly states, Adrian (Aviles) never had any intent to destroy his political career, had never any intent to take this public,” Barrera said. “But nonetheless, in the pursuit of a valid damage claim on behalf of his deceased wife, we engaged in settlement negotiations to try and resolve a legitimate Congressional Accountability Act claim for retaliatory harassment and sexual harassment by a congressman. And if Tony perceives that as extortion, then that’s his problem.”

According to the House of Representatives’ Code of Official Conduct, a member “may not engage in a sexual relationship with any employee of the House who works under the supervision of the Member.”

KSAT asked Tom Rust, the staff director of the House Ethics Committee, if there are any plans to investigate Gonzales since these allegations have been made public.

“No comment,” Rust said.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s Office denied a request from KSAT and other media outlets for records related to the investigation into Santos-Aviles’ death, including the police report.

A spokesperson for the Uvalde Police Department told KSAT Investigates on Thursday to reach out to the city’s legal team.

Adrian Aviles responded to the post, denying Gonzales’ claim of blackmail. He said his family chose to hold back the police report and body camera footage because “it shows my wife suffering severe burns in horrific detail,” which he did not want their 8-year-old son to see in the future.

“Your actions have been disgraceful, and you continue to mislead your constituents with falsehoods,” Aviles wrote. “You may avoid responsibility here on earth, but one day you will answer to a higher authority.”

Brandon Herrera, a Republican challenger for the congressional seat, responded to Gonzales’ post, saying he is “guilty and should resign.”

KSAT Investigates has reached out to Gonzales to ask about the affair at least 20 times since September, including five attempts this week. His office has not responded.

Read more reporting on the KSAT Investigates page.

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More recent coverage of this story on KSAT:

• Attorney: US Rep. Tony Gonzales had affair with aide who died by suicide
• Rep. Tony Gonzales attacks primary opponent amid reporting of his affair with aide who died by suicide
• US Rep. Tony Gonzales refuses to answer questions about alleged affair with staffer who died after catching fire