WASHINGTON – The House Ethics Committee said Wednesday it will open an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, accused of having an affair with a staffer before committing suicide last year.
Gonzales exchanged sexual text messages in 2024 with his then-aide, Regina Santos-Avilés, according to messages previously obtained by NBC News and verified by her widower, Adrián Avilés. Gonzales initially denied having an affair with Santos-Avilés and refused to address the substance of the allegations after the texts came to light.
It is against House rules for lawmakers to engage in relationships with members of their staff.
Later Wednesday, Gonzales appeared to acknowledge the affair when asked on the “Joe Pags Show” podcast if he was in a relationship “with this young woman who worked in his office.”
“I made a mistake and I had an error in judgment. And there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions,” Gonzales said, adding that he has “reconciled” with his wife.
The Ethics Committee chair and ranking member said in a statement Wednesday: “Pursuant to the Committee’s action, at this time, the Investigative Subcommittee will have jurisdiction to determine whether Representative Tony Gonzales violated the Code of Official Conduct or any applicable law, rule, regulation or other standard of conduct in the performance of his duties or the discharge of his responsibilities,” regarding allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct or favoritism.
Gonzales responded to the announcement: “I appreciate the opportunity to present all the facts to the committee.”
In the podcast interview, he said, “I appreciate the opportunity to be able to provide all the facts and all the details leading up to exactly what happened in the entire situation.”
The bipartisan panel said it will select and announce which lawmakers will serve on the investigative subcommittee.
In addition to the ethics investigation, the Congressional Conduct Office conducted an investigation into Gonzales, the results of which will be delivered to the Ethics Committee on Wednesday. The office had been prohibited from sending the report to the committee earlier because it was completed within 60 days of the Texas primary in which Gonzales participated on Tuesday.
Gonzales failed to get 50% of the vote in that race, forcing him into a runoff against Republican challenger Brandon Herrera. Herrera narrowly edged out Gonzales in Wednesday’s initial primary voting. Gonzales defeated Herrera by just a few hundred votes in a similar 2024 runoff.
It is unclear whether the Ethics Committee’s investigation will conclude before the second round, scheduled for May 26. The committee’s rules say it must address a report from the Congressional Conduct Office within 45 days of receiving it, but can postpone the report if it falls within the 60-day period before a relevant election.
A formal investigation into Gonzales does not necessarily mean that the committee’s final report will be made public. The committee only has jurisdiction over sitting members of Congress, so if Gonzales resigns or is removed before the report is completed, the investigation could stop.
Several of Gonzales’ Republican colleagues have urged him to resign or end his campaign, including Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Nancy Mace of South Carolina and Brandon Gill of Texas. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida called the text messages “disgusting” but stopped short of calling for his resignation.
Mace forced a floor vote Wednesday on a resolution that would direct the Ethics Committee to make public all reports of allegations of sexual misconduct or harassment by lawmakers or congressional aides. The House voted to refer Mace’s resolution to committee, effectively nullifying it.
