Texas state Representative Giovanni Capriglione has publicly denied allegations made by a former exotic dancer, Alex Grace, who claims to have had a 17-year affair with him. Grace alleges that during their relationship, Capriglione paid for multiple abortions for her personal benefit. The allegations surfaced shortly after Capriglione announced he would not seek reelection.
In an interview published by the conservative news outlet Current Revolt, Grace stated, “you’re just going to have to go with my word” regarding the specifics of the abortions. The video interview, lasting 25 minutes, has drawn significant attention since its release on July 25, 2025.
Capriglione confirmed that he had an affair years prior but labeled Grace’s accusations as “categorically false and easily disproven.” He firmly stated that he has “never, nor would I ever, pay for an abortion.”
Political Context and Allegations
Currently serving his seventh term representing North Texas, Capriglione is active in the Texas Legislature, which is currently in a special session focused on pressing issues including flood relief and redistricting. Notably absent from the House floor on Thursday, he has vowed to continue advocating for his constituents and the principles he believes in until his term concludes in January 2027.
The allegations prompted a swift response from fellow Republican Briscoe Cain, who called for Capriglione’s resignation and urged the House General Investigating Committee to look into the claims. House Speaker Dustin Burrows has not commented on the situation.
Capriglione has been a prominent figure in technology-related legislative efforts, chairing the Innovation and Technology Caucus and authoring the Data Privacy and Security Act of 2023. He also played a key role in implementing Texas’s stringent abortion laws, including the “trigger ban” that enforces severe penalties for performing abortions following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Grace’s allegations suggest a stark contradiction between Capriglione’s political stance and his personal actions. She claims that when they first met in 2004, he presented himself as a “very straight-laced businessman,” frequently visiting the club where she worked. Their relationship evolved into a personal one, with Capriglione purportedly offering emotional support as well as financial aid.
Personal Accounts and Legal Threats
Grace recounted various encounters, stating that Capriglione would sometimes give her cash gifts, with one incident involving a clandestine money drop at a local Chuck E. Cheese. She described a gradual estrangement from him as he rose in political stature, expressing discontent over his evolving political views.
In her account, she emphasized a desire for Capriglione to remain authentic in his beliefs: “If you are using abortions for your personal gain, if you are using women for your personal gain, why announce to the world that this isn’t who you are?”
In response to the allegations, Capriglione stated that he is “not above scrutiny” but has hinted at potential legal action against both Grace and Current Revolt, accusing them of defamation. He expressed that he has changed as a person since the affair, attributing this transformation to the forgiveness of his family and his faith.
As the political landscape in Texas continues to evolve, the implications of these allegations may resonate beyond Capriglione’s personal life, affecting public perceptions of his legislative priorities and the broader Republican agenda regarding reproductive rights.
This unfolding story illustrates the complexities of personal integrity within the political arena, particularly when public figures face allegations that challenge their public personas.