A second former female staffer has accused Republican congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas of sending her sexually explicit messages, according to reporting from the San Antonio Express-News confirmed by NBC News.
The allegation marks the latest development in a widening controversy surrounding Gonzales, who abandoned his re-election campaign in March following a public admission that he had conducted an affair with a different member of his staff.
The details of the messages and the timeline of when they were allegedly sent have not been fully disclosed. Gonzales has not responded to requests for comment regarding the new accusation.
The congressman's decision to withdraw from the race came after initial reports of inappropriate conduct became public. That situation involved a consensual relationship with someone working in his office, which he acknowledged at the time.
The emergence of a second accuser suggests a broader pattern of behavior that may extend beyond the single affair Gonzales previously acknowledged. The timing of these revelations has raised questions about his fitness for office and whether additional scrutiny of his conduct is warranted.
Gonzales, who has represented his district since 2021, has faced mounting pressure as details of his personal conduct continue to surface. His abrupt exit from the re-election race was seen as an attempt to limit political damage, though the fresh accusation demonstrates that the controversy has not been contained.
The story was first brought to light by local Texas media, with national outlets subsequently picking up on the allegations. As of now, no formal investigations or legal actions have been announced in connection with either the previous affair or the current accusations of explicit messaging.
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