Former United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a significant legal challenge after being sued by the ex-wife of a bodyguard who served on her security detail. The lawsuit alleges that Sinema pursued a romantic relationship with the married man, leading directly to the collapse of his marriage.
The Core Allegations: A Marriage Broken
Heather Ammel filed the suit in a North Carolina court, seeking at least $75,000 in damages from the former Arizona lawmaker. In the legal documents, she contends that she and her husband, Matthew Ammel, shared "a good and loving marriage" until Sinema's interference.
The suit states that Matthew Ammel, a retired army veteran, was hired by Sinema's head of security in 2022. In his role, he accompanied the senator on various trips, including journeys to Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.
Escalation and Employment Changes
The situation reportedly escalated in early 2024 when Heather Ammel discovered what the lawsuit describes as "romantic and lascivious" messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema on the encrypted Signal app. Later that summer, Matthew Ammel stopped wearing his wedding ring.
Concurrently, Sinema provided him with a new role as a national security fellow in her Senate office, while he continued his protective duties for her campaign. The lawsuit further alleges that Sinema paid for psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who has struggled with PTSD, substance abuse, and brain injuries linked to his military service in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Legal Grounds and Career Move
The case utilises a rare legal statute. North Carolina is one of the few US states that still permits "alienation of affection" lawsuits, allowing a spouse to seek damages from a third party they believe caused their marriage to fail. Sinema has since requested the case be moved from state to federal court.
This controversy emerges as Sinema transitions to a new career. After choosing not to seek re-election in 2024, concluding a tumultuous term where she left the Democratic party to become an independent, she has now joined the Washington-based legal and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells. Her lobbying interests reportedly include data centre development and research funding for the psychedelic drug ibogaine.
Neither Kyrsten Sinema nor her attorney have responded to public requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
