Former U.S. senator Kyrsten Sinema has acknowledged having a romantic relationship with her former security guard but is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the guard’s ex-wife.
The lawsuit was filed by Heather Ammel in Moore County, North Carolina, and accuses Sinema of interfering with her marriage to Matthew Ammel.
Lawsuit claims affair damaged a 14-year marriage
Heather Ammel filed the lawsuit earlier this year, claiming Sinema played a role in ending her 14-year marriage.
The complaint alleges that Sinema maintained an inappropriate relationship with Matthew Ammel while he was working on her security detail. According to the filing, he began providing security for the senator in 2022 before later joining her Senate staff.
The lawsuit accuses Sinema of “intentional and malicious interference” with the marriage.
Heather Ammel claims the relationship between the senator and her husband went beyond a professional working relationship and included romantic communications.
Allegations of inappropriate behavior
Court filings say Sinema allegedly sent messages to Matthew Ammel that were described as romantic and sexual in nature.
The complaint also claims Sinema behaved inappropriately during public outings, including physical contact with Ammel.
According to the lawsuit, Ammel eventually stopped wearing his wedding ring around mid-2024. He allegedly told his wife that removing the ring would avoid negative “public optics,” saying it would prevent others from thinking Sinema was “putting her hands on a married man.”
Sinema acknowledges relationship in court filing
In a motion filed this week seeking to dismiss the case, Sinema acknowledged that she and Matthew Ammel began a romantic relationship in May 2024.
That timeline, according to the filing, was about five months before Ammel separated from his wife.
Sinema’s legal team argues that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the North Carolina court does not have jurisdiction over the case.
Jurisdiction dispute in North Carolina court
Sinema’s motion states that the alleged relationship took place outside North Carolina.
Her attorneys argue that most communication between the two occurred while they were in other states.
According to the filing, the only communication involving Ammel while he was physically in North Carolina happened in October 2024. By that time, the filing says, he had already moved out of the home he shared with his wife.
Because of that, Sinema’s lawyers contend that the North Carolina court should not hear the case.
Background on Sinema’s political career
Sinema served as a U.S. senator from Arizona after first being elected as a Democrat.
During her time in the Senate, she became known for occasionally breaking with her party and opposing key parts of the agenda of Joe Biden.
She later left the Democratic Party and registered as an independent after it became clear she would face a difficult reelection campaign.
Sinema did not seek reelection and left the Senate at the end of her term.
