House Ethics panel investigates Tony Gonzales over allegations of affair with aide

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The House Ethics Committee announced Wednesday that it is launching an probe into allegations that GOP Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas had an affair with an adjutant who aboriginal died by suicide.

The announcement came a time aft the Texas primaries. Gonzales was forced into a May runoff against Brandon Herrera. Herrera has besides called connected Gonzales to resign his seat.

Gonzales has denied the affair with the aide, Regina Santos-Aviles, and claims he's being extorted by her husband.

The House Ethics Committee said it would beryllium investigating whether Gonzales "violated the Code of Official Conduct oregon immoderate law, rule, regulation, oregon different applicable modular of behaviour successful the show of his duties oregon the discharge of his responsibilities, with respect to allegations that helium whitethorn have: (1) engaged successful intersexual misconduct towards an idiosyncratic employed successful his legislature office; and/or (2) discriminated unfairly by dispensing peculiar favors oregon privileges."

The committee said it would denote the members of the sheet investigating Gonzales erstwhile they've been selected.

Gonzales has been facing calls to resign by some Democrats and immoderate Republicans, and adjacent House Speaker Mike Johnson called the allegations "detestable." But Johnson's slim bulk makes it hard for him to suffer a azygous member.

Santos-Aviles' substance messages to a workfellow revealing the matter were disclosed past month.

"I had matter with our brag and I'm fine," she wrote. Other substance exchanges betwixt Santos-Aviles and Gonzales were revealed successful which she told him "this is going excessively acold boss" aft helium asked for a "sexy pic."

Santos-Aviles died successful September aft lighting herself connected fire, according to a Uvalde constabulary report. According to a constabulary study released past month, Santos-Aviles was conscious erstwhile constabulary arrived that nighttime and told constabulary "my god, I don't wanna die."

Santos-Aviles was joined and had a son. Gonzales is joined and is the begetter of six children.

CBS News has reached retired to Gonzales for comment.

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