The husband of a congressional aide who died after setting herself on fire following an alleged relationship with her boss is speaking publicly for the first time, claiming she was coerced into the affair and was preparing legal action before her death.
Adrian Aviles said his wife, Regina Aviles, had been involved with Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, while working as his regional district director in Uvalde. He told the Daily Mail she had begun consulting attorneys about a possible sexual harassment lawsuit.
Gonzales, 45, represents Texas’ 23rd Congressional District. Regina Aviles, 35, had worked in his office since 2021.
Regina died after dousing herself with gasoline at her home on Sept. 14 of last year.
Adrian said he decided to speak out months later because he disputes public accounts of the situation and believes key details have been misrepresented.
“The biggest lie that Tony has told is the affair. That is 100 percent true,” Adrian told the Daily Mail.
According to his attorney, Adrian possesses Regina’s phone, which allegedly contains about 35,000 text messages exchanged between her and Gonzales. The attorney said they are exploring potential claims under the Congressional Accountability Act.
The relationship allegedly began in 2022, according to a former Gonzales staffer cited in the report. Adrian said he discovered the affair in June 2025 after growing suspicious and checking his wife’s phone.
“She looked up to him, you know, and for him to turn around and use that power to essentially, you know, I would call it coerce an affair,” Aviles told Daily Mail.
Adrian said Regina initially resisted Gonzales’ advances because of the professional relationship.
“He had made a pass at her and she’d mentioned, she’d said something about, you know, him being her boss and that that was inappropriate.”
After learning of the alleged relationship, Adrian said he contacted members of her workplace and Gonzales directly. He said the couple attempted counseling but struggled because Regina continued working in the office.
“They were smart enough not to fire her because they knew the ramifications of that,” he said.
He also claimed staff placed Regina on leave rather than terminating her employment.
“They were like, ‘Take a month off. Don’t worry about anything. We’ll take care of everything for you.’ The motto around there is protect Tony at all costs, and even at that all cost is lying.”
RELATED: Cause Of Death Revealed For GOP Staffer Found ‘Engulfed In Flames’
Adrian said Regina’s responsibilities were gradually reduced once the situation became known.
Police said Regina poured gasoline on herself and ignited it in her backyard while home alone. Her death was officially ruled a suicide by the San Antonio medical examiner.
Her husband disputes that conclusion, arguing she did not intend to kill herself.
“Was Regina spiraling – yes. The ramifications of what Tony did, you know, and it causing this whole split within our family. It wore down on her so much,” Adrian told Daily Mail.
“She did not want this to happen. This is something that was an accident. It was something that went too far. Regina loved her son so much. She would never do this purposely.”
His attorney offered a similar assessment, suggesting Regina may not have realized the danger.
“I think she was attempting to send a message, and I don’t think she expected the vapor from the gasoline to ignite with what she was doing.”
The attorney also said surveillance footage from the home exists and described the incident as “an outcry for help.”
An autopsy obtained by the Daily Mail found that Regina had alcohol in her system at the time.
The allegations surface as Gonzales faces a competitive Republican primary challenge. Opponent Brandon Herrera has called on the congressman to resign over the reported affair.
“This is completely unacceptable behavior for anyone, let along a sitting member of Congress. Tony must step down,” Herrera tweeted on Wednesday.
Gonzales did not respond to requests for comment, according to the report.
Download the FREE Trending Politics App to get the latest news FIRST >>
