Texas congressman claims he’s being ‘blackmailed’ over alleged affair with staffer who later died

By JUAN A. LOZANO HOUSTON (AP) — U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas claimed Thursday he was being “blackmailed” following a report he allegedly had an affair with a former staffer who later died. The claim by the married Republican congressman comes after the San Antonio Express-News reported that it had obtained text messages in which the former staffer, Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, wrote to a colleague that she had an affair with the lawmaker. Related Articles Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, upending central plank of economic agenda Trump climate health rollback likely to hit poor, minority areas hardest, experts say Trump says he doesn’t know...