House Ethics Committee to Probe Misconduct Allegations Against GOP Rep. Gonzales

Congressman accused of sexual affair with congressional aide and retaliation against her

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The House Committee on Ethics has announced an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and discrimination against Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX). The probe will examine claims that Gonzales engaged in an affair with a congressional aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, and that his office retaliated against her after the affair was discovered.

Why it matters

The investigation into Rep. Gonzales comes amid growing scrutiny over sexual misconduct allegations against lawmakers. The case could have significant political implications, potentially leading to disciplinary action or even Gonzales' resignation if the claims are substantiated.

The details

According to the announcement, the House Ethics Committee will investigate whether Gonzales "engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office" and "discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges." The allegations stem from an affair Gonzales allegedly had with Regina Santos-Aviles, who ran his district office in Uvalde, Texas. Both Gonzales and Santos-Aviles were married at the time. After the affair was discovered by Santos-Aviles' estranged husband in 2024, staff allegedly retaliated against her by isolating her from colleagues. Santos-Aviles later died by self-immolation in 2025, with her husband claiming it was a "cry for help" rather than suicide.

  • In May 2024, Santos-Aviles' estranged husband discovered sexually explicit text messages between his wife and Rep. Gonzales.
  • In September 2025, Regina Santos-Aviles died by self-immolation.

The players

Rep. Tony Gonzales

A Republican congressman from Texas who is accused of engaging in a sexual affair with a congressional aide and retaliating against her.

Regina Santos-Aviles

A congressional aide who ran Rep. Gonzales' district office in Uvalde, Texas, and allegedly had an affair with the congressman while they were both married to other people.

Michael Guest

The chair of the House Committee on Ethics, which has opened an investigation into the allegations against Rep. Gonzales.

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What they’re saying

“The Investigative Subcommittee shall have jurisdiction to determine whether Representative Tony Gonzales violated the Code of Official Conduct or any law, rule, regulation, or other applicable standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that he may have: (1) engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office; and/or (2) discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges.”

— Michael Guest, Chair, House Committee on Ethics (rawstory.com)

“The allegations are very serious, and we will allow the investigations to play out.”

— Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House (rawstory.com)

What’s next

The House Committee on Ethics will announce the members of the investigative subcommittee that will handle the probe into the allegations against Rep. Gonzales at a later time.

The takeaway

The investigation into Rep. Gonzales highlights the ongoing challenges Congress faces in addressing allegations of sexual misconduct by its own members. The case could have significant political ramifications, underscoring the need for robust ethics oversight and accountability within the legislative branch.