The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday it is launching an investigation into Republican Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales over claims of improper affairs.
An investigative subcommittee announced it will probe allegations that Gonzales “engaged in sexual misconduct towards an individual employed in his congressional office” and “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges,” Republican Committee Chairman Rep. Michael Guest wrote in a letter Wednesday.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 10: U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) speaks during a House Homeland Security Committee hearing on February 10, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism over law enforcement tactics targeting undocumented immigrants and the killing of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
After his primary Tuesday, Gonzales is headed to a runoff election against gun rights YouTuber Brandon Herrera on May 26. (RELATED: Texas GOP Incumbent Tony Gonzales Advances To GOP Runoff Amid Staffer Sex Scandal And Suicide Tragedy)
The employee in question is former staffer Regina Santos-Aviles, who died after setting herself on fire. The scandal, which has followed him throughout a hard-fought primary, is likely to remain a major issue as he heads into the runoff.
House rules prohibit members from engaging in sexual relationships with staff.
Under House procedures, the Ethics Committee generally has up to 90 days to release a report from the Office of Congressional Conduct (OCC). However, when the panel votes to establish an investigative subcommittee — as it has in this case — it may take up to one year to make the OCC’s findings public. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Poll Shows Brandon Herrera Overtaking Tony Gonzales In Key House Primary)
Guest said Wednesday that members of the investigative subcommittee have not yet been appointed, indicating the inquiry remains in its early stages. Ethics Committee investigations do not follow a fixed timetable and frequently take months to resolve.
News — Embattled Rep. Tony Gonzales tells me he’s staying in the runoff and that he plans to address the allegations today. I asked him if he had an affair with the staffer and he would only say he will address it today. pic.twitter.com/JFdej57wNk
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 4, 2026
The former aide’s estranged husband has circulated text messages he says show Gonzales requesting a “sexy pic” and asking about her favorite sex position. In one May 2024 exchange, Santos-Aviles allegedly rebuffed the congressman, allegedly writing, “This is going too far boss.” Gonzales recently declined to comment on whether the messages are authentic.
He has denied any wrongdoing or improper relationship with Santos-Aviles and has firmly rejected calls to resign or end his reelection campaign, including some from fellow Republicans.
Tony Gonzales response to House Ethics Committee probe: “I welcome the opportunity to present all the facts to the committee.”
— Liz Elkind (@liz_elkind) March 4, 2026
House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is navigating a narrow GOP majority, described the allegations as “very serious” but stopped short of urging the Texas representative to step aside, saying the matter would ultimately “play out” in the context of his reelection bid. (RELATED: GOP Lawmaker Accused Of Torrid Affair With Staffer Getting A Visit From The Boss)
The OCC, a nonpartisan office governed by a board of private citizens, had begun looking into allegations against Gonzales in November. It was required to refer the matter to the House Ethics Committee by Wednesday for either further review or dismissal, according to the San Antonio Express-News report.
The Daily Caller reached out to representatives for Gonzales’s office but did not receive a response to requests for comment at the time of publication.
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