Home Ethics Committee opens Tony Gonzales investigation over workers affair

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The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, over allegations that he had an affaire with a political aide.

Committee leaders introduced Wednesday that they launched the investigation into whether or not Gonzales, a married father of six, engaged in sexual misconduct with a female member of his workers and whether or not he doled out particular favors or privileges because of this.

Gonzales has mentioned he has no plan to step down within the face of the accusations, saying there are extra particulars to be launched concerning the state of affairs.

"What you’ve seen shouldn't be all of the information," Gonzales informed reporters final month.

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is going through a Home ethics investigation. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs)

The three-term congressman argued final month that he was being "blackmailed" in reference to the case. Controversy first arose after the San Antonio Express-News reported obtained textual content messages through which the previous staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to a colleague that she had an affair with the lawmaker.

Santos-Aviles later died after setting herself on fireplace.

Gonzales took to social media final month and accused Santos-Aviles' husband of "blackmail," sharing a partial screenshot of an e-mail from the widower and claiming he was looking for cash.

"I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED," Gonzales wrote in a Feb. 19 publish on X. "Disgusting to see folks revenue politically and financially off a tragic loss of life."

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Left: Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen within the U.S. Capitol earlier than the Home voted to maintain the federal government funded into March, on Thursday, January 18, 2024; Proper: Regina Santos Aviles (Left: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs; Proper: Regina Santos Aviles on Fb)

Within the e-mail posted by Gonzales, lawyer Robert Barrera mentioned a attainable lawsuit towards the lawmaker and a possible settlement with a nondisclosure settlement. The e-mail says that the utmost recoverable quantity is $300,000.

Barrera denied he was making an attempt to blackmail Gonzales.

"It's a determined try and make him look once more like a political sufferer," Barrera informed The Related Press final month. "There’s no blackmail right here. I imply, it’s simply ridiculous allegations."

Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, has accused a deceased staffer's husband of "blackmail." ((Picture By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Name, Inc by way of Getty Photographs))

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In accordance with Barrera, the e-mail that Gonzales posted on-line was a part of back-and-forth discussions he had been having with the lawmaker’s lawyer after Aviles determined he needed to get well damages by means of a potential lawsuit on behalf of his spouse beneath the Congressional Accountability Act.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Associated Article Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox Information Digital masking nationwide politics and main breaking information occasions. Ship tricks to Anders.Hagstrom@Fox.com, or on X: @Hagstrom_Anders.