00:02A Texas congressman is acknowledging a sexual relationship with a former staff member who
00:07later died by suicide. His admission comes as he heads into a Republican runoff while facing a new
00:12House Ethics Committee investigation. In a radio interview Wednesday, Representative Tony Gonzalez
00:18called the relationship a lapse in judgment. He insisted he had nothing to do with the former
00:23aide's death and that it came as a shock. Was there a relationship with this young lady who
00:28was working in your office? You know, very, very direct, Pags. I made a mistake and I had a lapse
00:37in judgment and there was a lack of faith and I take full responsibility for those actions.
00:43The former aide, Regina Santos Aviles, died in September 2025 after setting herself on fire.
00:50Her death was ruled a suicide. The House Ethics Committee has now opened an investigation into
00:56whether Gonzalez engaged in sexual misconduct with an employee or gave a staff member special
01:01treatment. House rules prohibit lawmakers from having sexual relationships with staff under
01:06their supervision. The controversy comes as Gonzalez prepares for a runoff against hard right challenger
01:13Brandon Herrera after neither candidate cleared 50 percent in the primary for Texas's 23rd district.
01:19Some Republicans have called on Gonzalez to resign. He says the situation has been politicized and that
01:26he plans to cooperate with investigators. I look forward to the Ethics Committee starting an
01:32investigation. I appreciate the opportunity to be able to provide all the facts and all the details
01:38that lead to exactly what occurred in the entire situation. The Ethics Committee has not said how long
01:44the investigation will take.
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