RALEIGH, N.C. — Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema has formally acknowledged a romantic relationship with a member of her security detail while simultaneously moving to dismiss a lawsuit from the man’s ex-wife, who alleges Sinema is responsible for the dissolution of her marriage.
The litigation, filed in North Carolina federal court, seeks financial damages from the Arizona politician under the state’s rare “alienation of affection” laws. Sinema, who served in the U.S. House and Senate before her term ended in early 2025, contends that her actions do not fall under the court’s jurisdiction and that the marriage was already failing before her involvement.
Allegations of Marital Interference
The plaintiff, Heather Ammel, alleges that Sinema pursued a relationship with Matthew Ammel—a retired Army veteran hired for Sinema’s security team in 2022—despite knowing he was married. According to court documents, Heather Ammel claims she and her husband maintained a “good and loving marriage” until Sinema’s interference.
The lawsuit highlights several key allegations:
- Digital Evidence: Heather Ammel reportedly discovered “romantic and lascivious” messages between Sinema and her husband on the encrypted messaging app Signal in early 2024.
- Dual Roles: The filing alleges that by the summer of 2024, Sinema had appointed Matthew Ammel to her Senate staff while he continued to serve as her personal bodyguard.
- Timeline of Intimacy: In a signed declaration dated March 7, Sinema admitted the relationship became “romantic and intimate” in late May 2024, progressing to “physically intimate” across various locations, including Washington, D.C., New York, and California.
The Legal Defense
Sinema’s legal counsel, Steven Epstein, filed a motion this week seeking to dismiss the case. The defense argues that Sinema’s conduct does not establish a “meaningful connection” to North Carolina, where the lawsuit was initiated.
While Heather Ammel claims Sinema sent communications to her husband while he was physically present in North Carolina with his family, Sinema’s team disputes the timing. Epstein asserts that Sinema only messaged Matthew Ammel in the state after he had secured a separate residence and the marriage was effectively “already over.”
“No jury would believe that [a single message] had any bearing on the destruction of marital love and affection,” Epstein wrote in the filing.
Context of “Alienation of Affection”
North Carolina remains one of the few remaining U.S. jurisdictions that allows “heartbalm” torts. Under these laws, a jilted spouse can sue a third party for damages if they can prove:
- The marriage was characterized by genuine love and affection.
- That love and affection was alienated and destroyed.
- The defendant’s “wrongful and malicious” acts were the cause of that destruction.
Professional Transition
The relationship developed during a pivotal time in Sinema’s career. After breaking from the Democratic Party to become an Independent in 2022, she opted not to seek re-election in 2024. The lawsuit, originally filed in state court in September 2024, was moved to federal court this past January.
The case continues to draw scrutiny toward the professional boundaries maintained by high-ranking federal officials and their taxpayer-funded or private security details.
