Former US Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a significant legal challenge after being sued by the ex-wife of a former bodyguard, who alleges Sinema's romantic pursuit destroyed her marriage.
The Core Allegations: A Marriage Broken
Heather Ammel has filed a lawsuit in North Carolina accusing the ex-Arizona senator of 'alienation of affection'. She claims Sinema knowingly pursued a romantic relationship with her then-husband, Matthew Ammel, a retired army veteran who served on Sinema's security detail.
The legal filing states the Ammels shared 'a good and loving marriage' until Sinema's interference. It alleges the senator and Matthew Ammel exchanged 'romantic and lascivious' messages on the encrypted Signal app in early 2024, which Heather Ammel later discovered.
Details of the Alleged Relationship and Employment
According to the court documents, Matthew Ammel was hired by Sinema's head of security after his 2022 military retirement. He is said to have accompanied the senator on trips to locations including Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.
The lawsuit further claims that in the summer of 2024, Ammel stopped wearing his wedding ring. Around the same time, Sinema gave him a role as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he continued his protective duties for her campaign.
A notable detail in the suit is the allegation that Sinema paid for psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who reportedly struggles with PTSD, substance abuse, and brain injuries from deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Legal Proceedings and Political Context
The suit was filed quietly in late 2023 in Moore County, North Carolina – one of the few US states that still recognises 'alienation of affection' claims. Sinema has since requested the case be moved to federal court. She and her attorney have not publicly commented on the allegations.
Sinema, who left Congress after the 2024 election, served a tumultuous single term. She alienated many liberal voters and left the Democratic Party to become an independent before choosing not to seek re-election.
She now works for the Washington-based legal and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells, where she has reportedly lobbied on issues including data centre development and research funding for the psychedelic drug ibogaine.
Heather Ammel is seeking at least $75,000 in damages from the former senator.
