Former United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema faced a dramatic public disruption when two men separately stood up during a panel discussion to claim they were having affairs with her. The incident comes as she faces a blockbuster lawsuit from the ex-wife of a former bodyguard, alleging Sinema's romantic involvement destroyed their marriage.
Panel Discussion Erupted by Startling Claims
The interruptions occurred on Friday during a panel hosted by the Utah Chamber of Commerce and the University of Utah’s Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. Sinema, a former Arizona Senator, was speaking alongside Utah Governor Spencer Cox on topics covering the economy, technology, and politics.
According to reports from the Salt Lake City Tribune, the first heckler stood and declared to the audience, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have a confession to make. I am actually having an affair with Kyrsten Sinema." He continued shouting as event staff removed him from the room.
Shortly after the panel resumed, a second man stood and yelled a similar message. He too was swiftly grabbed by security and escorted out. It remains unclear if the men were conducting a coordinated prank. Neither individual was cited or arrested.
Sinema, a 49-year-old graduate of Utah's Brigham Young University, had earlier joked with the audience about the university's cougar mascot, remarking, "I get called that a lot." Following the outbursts, she told the crowd, "I promise I didn't plan that."
The Lawsuit: Allegations of a Broken Marriage
The shocking public spectacle follows the filing of a significant lawsuit that has gained national attention. Heather Ammel, the ex-wife of a member of Sinema's former Senate security team, is suing the former politician for at least $75,000 in damages.
The complaint, initially filed in a North Carolina court in September, alleges that Sinema pursued a romantic relationship with Heather's then-husband, Matthew Ammel, which led to the breakdown of their marriage. The lawsuit claims the Ammels shared "a good and loving marriage" until Sinema's alleged interference.
Heather Ammel states she discovered "romantic and lascivious" messages exchanged between Sinema and her husband on the encrypted app Signal in 2024, while Sinema was still in office. The filing further alleges that Matthew Ammel accompanied Sinema on trips to locations including Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.
Legal Context and Political Aftermath
The case is proceeding under North Carolina's "alienation of affection" law, one of the few statutes in the US that allows a spouse to sue a third party they believe is responsible for destroying their marriage. Sinema's attorney recently sought to move the case to federal court, a move that propelled the lawsuit into the national spotlight.
Sinema, a centrist figure, changed her party affiliation from Democrat to independent in 2022 but continued to caucus with Democrats on committee assignments. She resigned after the 2024 election and left office in January 2025.
The Independent has reached out to an attorney representing Kyrsten Sinema for comment on both the lawsuit and the panel disruptions. The events mark a tumultuous period for the former senator, intertwining personal scandal allegations with her post-political life in the public eye.
