Former United States Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a significant lawsuit for allegedly having a romantic relationship with a married member of her security detail, an affair her bodyguard's ex-wife claims destroyed their marriage.
The Core Allegations: A Marriage Destroyed
In legal documents filed in North Carolina, Heather Ammel alleges that Sinema pursued a romantic relationship with her then-husband, Matthew Ammel, despite being fully aware he was married. The lawsuit contends the couple shared "a good and loving marriage" with "genuine love and affection" before the senator's interference.
Matthew Ammel, a retired Army veteran, was hired by Sinema's head of security in 2022. His duties involved accompanying the Arizona lawmaker on trips to locations including Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.
Escalation and Employment Shifts
The suit claims the affair came to light in early 2024 when Heather discovered "romantic and lascivious" messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema on the encrypted Signal app. By that summer, Matthew had stopped wearing his wedding ring.
During this period, Sinema reportedly gave Ammel a job as a national security fellow in her Senate office, while he continued working for her campaign as a bodyguard. The lawsuit also states that Sinema paid for psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who struggles with PTSD, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injuries from military deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Legal Grounds and Fallout
The case was initially filed quietly in Moore County, North Carolina, late last year but gained global attention this week upon its transfer to a federal court. It seeks at least $75,000 (approximately £60,000) in damages.
North Carolina is one of a small number of US states that still permits "alienation of affection" lawsuits, allowing a jilted spouse to seek financial compensation from a third party they hold responsible for wrecking their marriage.
Sinema, who left Congress after the 2024 election following a tumultuous term where she left the Democratic Party to become an independent, has not publicly commented. Her attorney also did not respond to requests for comment. She now works for the Washington-based legal and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells.
