Tax Congressman Tony Gonzales Claims Blackmail Amid Affair Scandal

U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales (R-San Antonio) is currently at the center of a legal and political firestorm. Just weeks before the Texas primary, the congressman has gone on the offensive, claiming he is the victim of an extortion plot following the tragic death of a former staffer.

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The Core Allegations

• The Affair: Rumors and leaked text messages suggest a 2024 affair between Gonzales and staffer Regina Ann Santos-Aviles.
• The Workplace Fallout: Her husband, Adrian Aviles, alleges that once the relationship was discovered, the office retaliated against Regina, stripping her of duties and creating a hostile environment.
• The Tragedy: Regina died by suicide in Uvalde in September 2025.

The “Blackmail” Defense

On February 19, 2026, Gonzales released a screenshot of an email from the husband’s attorney.

• The Demand: The email proposed a $300,000 settlement and a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to resolve claims of workplace retaliation.
• Gonzales’ Stance: He labeled the move “disgusting” and an attempt to profit off a tragedy, vowing that he “will not be blackmailed.”
• The Legal Rebuttal: The attorney for the husband maintains this was a standard legal demand letter—not extortion—intended to settle a valid lawsuit under the Congressional Accountability Act.

The Political Fallout

The timing is critical. Gonzales is facing a fierce primary challenge from Brandon Herrera, who has used these allegations to question Gonzales‘ fitness for office. While Gonzales denies the affair, the controversy has forced him to defend his character in the final stretch of the campaign.

Summary Table: The Two Perspectives

Feature	Representative Gonzales’ View	Adrian Aviles’ (Husband) View
The Affair	Denies it; calls it “untruthful.”	Claims sexual texts prove it happened.
The $300k Demand	An illegal blackmail/extortion attempt.	A standard legal settlement offer.
The Motivation	Political hit job by primary rivals.	Justice for workplace retaliation.