Husband of Late Aide Of Rep. Tony Gonzales Says Congressman 'Abused His Power' in Alleged Affair That Preceded Her Suicide

The former husband of Regina Ann "Regi" Santos-Aviles, a congressional aide who died last year after setting herself on fire, said U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales "abused his power" by allegedly engaging in a romantic relationship with her while she worked in his office.

Adrian Aviles made the remarks Wednesday in an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, his first public comments about the allegations.

"I said the truth would come to light when it's time, and the time is now," Aviles told the Texas-based outlet. "Tony abused his power. He should have held himself to a higher standard as a congressional leader." He added that he hopes Gonzales "will stand up and be accountable for his actions."

Aviles spoke a day after the newspaper reported that a former Gonzales staffer shared a screenshot of a text message in which Santos-Aviles wrote: "I had affair with our boss." The outlet said it verified the message came from her phone number. Santos-Aviles, 35, was Gonzales' regional district director in Uvalde and the mother of an 8-year-old boy.

Authorities said Santos-Aviles poured gasoline on herself outside her home on September 13, 2025, and died the next day at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. The Bexar County Medical Examiner ruled her death a suicide, and police said surveillance video showed she was alone and that there was no evidence of foul play.

Aviles disputed that conclusion, saying, "I don't think that it was an intentional act. I think it was a cry for help that turned into a tragedy."

He said he discovered the alleged relationship in May 2024 when he saw his wife texting Gonzales and later found messages he described as "very sexual in nature." He said the relationship had lasted two to three weeks at that point. Aviles said he later contacted Gonzales and members of his staff to say he knew about the relationship and intended to make it public, after which, he claimed, his wife was marginalized at work.

Gonzales denied any wrongdoing through a statement to the Texas Tribune on Wednesday, calling Santos-Aviles "a kind soul" and saying he would not engage in "personal smears." He also rejected calls to resign and blamed his GOP opponent Brandon Herrera for politicizing the death

Gonzales is seeking reelection in Texas' 23rd Congressional District where he faces a contested Republican primary led by challenger Herrera, who previously raised the issue of the affair back in December.