Texas Congressman Tony Gonzales Faces Ethics Probe Over Staffer's Suicide, Allegations of Misconduct

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WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday it is launching a formal investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, over allegations of sexual misconduct and preferential treatment involving a former staffer who died by suicide last year. The probe adds a layer of political peril for Gonzales, who is already locked in a tight primary runoff battle.

The investigative subcommittee will examine whether Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office" and "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges," according to the panel's statement. The allegations center on his late aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, who worked in his Uvalde district office.

Gonzales has vehemently denied having an affair with Santos-Aviles and has accused her husband of extortion. "I welcome the opportunity to present all the facts to the committee," Gonzales told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. In a late-February social media post, he framed the allegations as "coordinated political attacks" timed to his primary election.

The congressman narrowly avoided defeat in Tuesday's primary but failed to secure a majority, forcing him into a May runoff against conservative commentator Brandon Herrera. Gonzales defeated Herrera by less than two percentage points in the initial vote, signaling a deeply divided district.

The ethics investigation has fractured GOP unity, with several House Republicans publicly urging Gonzales to step down or withdraw from his re-election bid. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said last week she would "encourage him to consider resigning." Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas), a fellow Texan, posted on social media, "America deserves better. Tony should drop out of the race."

The case has also spurred legislative action. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who has called for Gonzales's resignation, announced this week she is forcing a House vote on a measure to require the Ethics Committee to disclose more information about lawmakers accused of harassing staff. "I mean, literally, this girl killed herself in the most heinous way," Mace told Fox News Digital. "She literally lit herself on fire and died, and we're just going to sit here and say, let the process play out? No."

The traditionally opaque Ethics Committee did not provide a timeline for its investigation. The probe unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over workplace culture in Congress, following past scandals that have led to resignations and renewed calls for institutional reform.

Reader Reaction:

Mark Stevens, a political analyst from Austin: "This is a profoundly serious investigation that goes to the heart of congressional accountability. Regardless of the electoral timing, the allegations demand a thorough and impartial review. The voters in Texas' 23rd district will have the final say in May, but the Ethics Committee's findings could significantly shape that decision."

Linda Chen, a former congressional staffer: "As someone who has worked on the Hill, this story is heartbreaking and infuriating. It highlights the immense power imbalance and the fear that can silence staff. The system for reporting misconduct is still broken. Mace's push for more transparency is a necessary first step, but it's long overdue."

David Miller, a conservative talk radio listener from San Antonio: "This reeks of a last-minute smear campaign to take out a sitting congressman right before a runoff. Where's the evidence? It's convenient that these 'anonymous allegations' surface now. Gonzales deserves the presumption of innocence, not a trial by media and his political opponents."

Sarah Johnson, an advocate for workplace safety: "Enough with the thoughts and prayers. A woman is dead. If the allegations are true, this isn't just an 'affair'—it's an abuse of power with tragic consequences. The calls for resignation are warranted. Public service should not be a shield for predatory behavior."