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