Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas has accused Robert J. Barrera, a lawyer representing his former staffer’s husband, of blackmail following an alleged affair that led to the suicide by self-immolation of his former staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles.
According to reports, Santos-Aviles sent a text message to her co-worker in April 2025 claiming she had been involved in an “affair” with their boss. Just months later, in September 2025, she died by suicide after setting herself on fire.
Gonzales, who is married and has children, has publicly accused Barrera of attempting to blackmail him. In a post on X, Gonzales declared: “I WILL NOT BE BLACKMAILED.” He added: “Disgusting to see people profit politically and financially off a tragic death.”
The congressman also demanded immediate public access to the Uvalde Police report, stating he would “keep fighting for TX23.”
Barrera stated that his firm sent an email on February 10 proposing a confidential settlement and nondisclosure agreement to Gonzales’ legal team. He clarified: “What Tony printed is not the entire email, clearly.” Barrera emphasized that the communication was part of a “confidential settlement negotiation” and that it omitted significant details about why his firm sought resolution.
Barrera stressed that his team had no intention of damaging Gonzales’ political career. “Had we intended that, we would have just filed a lawsuit under the Congressional Accountability Act,” he said. The law covers allegations of sexual assault, retaliation, and office harassment. Barrera noted the settlement proposal was made to protect all parties involved.
Gonzales’ office did not respond to requests for comment.
In response to Gonzales’ accusations, Adrian Aviles, Santos-Aviles’ husband, denied any blackmail. In a social media post, Aviles labeled Gonzales “a classic case of a two-faced politician who says whatever is convenient to save face.” He stated that his family withheld the Uvalde Police report and body camera footage to protect their 8-year-old son from witnessing graphic details of his wife’s severe burns.
Aviles added: “Nothing in that police report protects you. That decision was about protecting our child’s well-being, not concealing anything improper. Your actions have been disgraceful, and you continue to mislead your constituents with falsehoods.”
Additionally, Gonzales’ primary opponent in the 2024 election, Brandon Herrera, a gun YouTuber who narrowly avoided unseating the Texas Republican, also posted on social media: “You are guilty and should resign.”
