Ex-Sen. Kyrsten Sinema sued for allegedly breaking up bodyguard’s marriage

Former Arizona Senator Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Affair with Security Detail Member

Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing legal action in a case that has quickly captured national attention. Heather Ammel has filed a lawsuit against Sinema, seeking at least $75,000 in damages for allegedly pursuing a romantic relationship with her husband, Matthew Ammel, who served on the senator’s security detail.

According to court documents filed in Moore County, North Carolina, Heather Ammel claims that her marriage was intact before Sinema’s interference. The lawsuit states that the Ammels had “a good and loving marriage” characterized by “genuine love and affection” prior to the alleged relationship between her husband and the former senator.

Matthew Ammel, who joined Sinema’s team after retiring from the Army in 2022, accompanied the senator on various trips, including to Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia as part of his security responsibilities. The lawsuit details that in early 2024, Heather Ammel discovered what she describes as “romantic and lascivious” messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema on the encrypted messaging app Signal.

The legal filing further alleges that by summer, Matthew Ammel had stopped wearing his wedding ring. During this period, Sinema reportedly offered him a position as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he continued to work as her bodyguard through her campaign.

The lawsuit also makes claims about Sinema financing psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who reportedly struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injuries resulting from his military deployments to Afghanistan and other locations in the Middle East.

North Carolina is one of the few remaining states that permit “alienation of affection” lawsuits, allowing spouses to seek damages from third parties they believe responsible for the breakdown of their marriages. The case gained international attention after being transferred to federal court this week, though it had been initially filed late last year with little public notice.

Sinema and her legal representatives have not responded to media requests for comment on the allegations.

The lawsuit comes as Sinema has transitioned to life after Congress. She left the Senate after declining to seek reelection in 2024, concluding a single term marked by significant political shifts. Once seen as a rising Democratic star, Sinema made headlines by breaking with her party on key votes before formally leaving the Democratic Party in 2022 to become an independent.

Her political journey reflects broader tensions within American politics. Initially elected as a Democrat in the 2018 “blue wave,” Sinema positioned herself as a moderate willing to work across the aisle. However, her opposition to eliminating the Senate filibuster and her votes against certain Democratic priorities, including minimum wage increases, alienated progressive supporters and party leadership.

Since leaving Congress, Sinema has joined Hogan Lovells, a prominent Washington-based legal and lobbying firm. Her post-Senate career has involved lobbying efforts focused on data center development and securing research funding for ibogaine, a psychedelic compound being studied for potential therapeutic applications.

The lawsuit adds a personal dimension to Sinema’s already complicated public narrative, coming at a time when the former senator had largely stepped away from the national spotlight. The case also highlights the unusual persistence of “alienation of affection” laws, which have been abolished in most states but remain active in North Carolina and a handful of other jurisdictions.

As the legal process unfolds, the case could potentially reveal further details about Sinema’s personal and professional relationships during her time in office, adding another chapter to her already unconventional political story.