Kyrsten Sinema, the former U.S. senator from Arizona, is accused in a new lawsuit of having an affair with Matthew Ammel, who served as a bodyguard in her security detail.
The allegation was made by Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, in a lawsuit filed in North Carolina. She claims the alleged relationship contributed to the collapse of their 14-year marriage in November 2024.
Thomas M. Van Camp, an attorney for Heather Ammel, told Newsweek: “Ms. Sinema’s pursuit of Heather’s husband Matthew was intentional, calculated, relentless, and, ultimately, successful.
“She enticed Mr. Ammel with lavish trips and concerts, an exorbitant salary for his services, and psychedelic drugs. Her conduct evidenced a complete disregard for the Ammel’s marriage as well as the family as a whole. Heather simply seeks to hold Ms. Sinema accountable for her destructive behavior.”
Why It Matters
Although Sinema is no longer in Congress—she chose not to run in the November 2024 elections—the lawsuit has drawn attention because it involves a well-known former public official and alleges conduct that could carry financial and reputational consequences.
Heather Ammel is seeking at least $25,000 from Sinema. The case is filed under alienation of affection, a legal claim that allows a spouse to seek damages from a third party for allegedly interfering in a marriage—an option available only in a limited number of U.S. states.
What the Lawsuit Claims
The filing lays out several allegations, including excerpts it says were pulled from messages between Ammel and Sinema. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Messages described as “romantic and lascivious”
The lawsuit alleges Heather Ammel found Signal messages in January 2024 that “exceeded the bounds of a normal working relationship” and were “of romantic and lascivious natures.” It references messages that allegedly included a photo of Sinema “wrapped in a towel” and another where she allegedly described “missionary sex with the lights on” as “boring!”
MDMA allegation
The lawsuit claims Sinema suggested Ammel bring MDMA on a work trip so she could guide him through a “psychedelic experience.” It also alleges Ammel “suffers from substance abuse, post-traumatic stress disorder, and traumatic brain injuries” linked to military service, and that Sinema offered to help him “work through his mental health challenges.” The article notes MDMA is illegal in the U.S. and classified as a Schedule 1 drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
Crude exchange about troops
The lawsuit references an alleged exchange in which Ammel said he planned to start a “f*** the troops” chant at a baseball game in Pennsylvania, and Sinema allegedly replied that she would “f*** the hot ones.”
State of the Union message involving Joe Biden
The filing also cites an alleged message exchange about the March 2024 State of the Union address, claiming Sinema said she didn’t need to listen to “some old man,” referring to former President Joe Biden, discuss legislation she wrote. (Sinema was elected as a Democrat and switched her affiliation to independent in December 2022.)
Wedding ring allegation and public events
The lawsuit claims Ammel stopped wearing his wedding band around May or June 2024 so it would not appear Sinema “was putting her hands on a married man” while attending concerts and other public events. It also alleges Ammel attended a Taylor Swift concert in Miami in October 2024 as Sinema’s guest, and that Ammel’s wife and children were also present.
What People Are Saying
The lawsuit states: “Prior to Defendant’s intentional and malicious interference, Plaintiff and Mr. Ammel had a good and loving marriage, and genuine love and affection existed between them.”
What Happens Next
Sinema has not publicly responded to the allegations in the lawsuit, according to the report.
