At a Glance
- Former Senator Kyrsten Sinema is being sued for allegedly destroying a 14-year marriage to her bodyguard
- The lawsuit claims Sinema and the bodyguard exchanged sexual messages and gifts while he remained married
- $25,000 damages sought under North Carolina’s Alienation of Affection law
- Why it matters: The case could test one of the nation’s few remaining marriage-protection statutes
Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema left Congress in 2025, but a federal lawsuit filed in North Carolina now accuses her of intentionally breaking up a 14-year marriage to her former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel.
Olivia M. Hartwell reported for News Of Losangeles that the complaint, obtained by the outlet, alleges Sinema engaged in “intentional and malicious interference” with the marriage and details sexually charged messages, gifts, and joint travel while Matthew remained married to plaintiff Heather Ammel.
The Alleged Affair Timeline
Heather Ammel’s suit, filed in September 2025, claims the relationship began after Matthew joined Sinema’s Senate security detail in April 2022 and escalated through 2024.
Key events outlined:
- October 2024: Sinema allegedly texts Matthew, “I miss you. Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon.”
- Late 2023: Sinema invites Matthew to serve as her only security at a U2 concert in Las Vegas, calling the trip a “gift.”
- June 2024: Matthew reportedly attends a wedding as both Sinema’s guest and bodyguard, then flies back alone to her Scottsdale home.
- November 2024: After returning from Saudi Arabia, Matthew moves out and the couple separates.
Inside The Messages
The lawsuit states Heather discovered Signal exchanges she describes as “of romantic and lascivious natures.” Alleged highlights:
- A photo of Sinema “wrapped in a towel”
- Offers to help Matthew with mental-health struggles
- A suggestion he bring MDMA on a work trip so Sinema could “guide him through a psychedelic experience”
- A quip from Sinema calling missionary-position sex “Boring!”
Heather claims she confronted Sinema in October 2024, texting, “Are you having an affair with my husband? You took a married man away from his family.” Neither Sinema nor her representative responded to News Of Losangeles‘s request for comment.
The Job Change
According to the complaint, Matthew’s head of security resigned in fall 2023 after allegedly warning him that Sinema was engaging in sexual relationships with other bodyguards. Though she urged Matthew to leave, the suit says he stayed for financial stability.
In June 2024 Sinema allegedly created a salaried position for Matthew as a defense and national security fellow on her Senate staff. The job change came the same month as the wedding trip.
Gifts And Perks
Heather’s suit lists several items and favors:
- A Theragun Sinema supposedly bought so she could “work on his back” at her apartment
- All-expense-paid travel, including the Las Vegas U2 show
- Repeated invitations to stay overnight at her residence
The Legal Claim
North Carolina’s Alienation of Affection law allows a spouse to sue a third party who intentionally alienates love and affection in an otherwise viable marriage. Only six U.S. states still recognize the cause of action.
Heather must prove:
- Genuine love and affection existed between her and Matthew before Sinema’s alleged interference
- Sinema’s conduct directly caused the marriage’s collapse
She is seeking $25,000 in damages and has requested a jury trial.
Who Is Matthew Ammel?
- Army veteran and father of three
- Retired from the Army in 2022
- Hired by Sinema’s office April 2022
- Married Heather in October 2010; separated November 2024
The suit describes the Ammels’ marriage prior to the alleged interference as “good and loving” with “genuine love and affection.”
Who Is Kyrsten Sinema?
- Born in Arizona; former social worker and lawyer
- Served six years in the U.S. House, then six in the Senate
- First openly bisexual member of Congress and first woman elected senator from Arizona
- Left Capitol Hill in 2025
- Current roles, per LinkedIn: president and CEO of the Arizona Business Roundtable, senior adviser at Hogan Lovells, member of Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council, and professor at Arizona State University
What Happens Next
No court dates have been set. Sinema has not filed a public response, and neither she nor her attorneys have commented on the record. The case will proceed in North Carolina federal court, where Heather hopes to convince a jury that the former senator deliberately destroyed her marriage.
Key Takeaways
- The suit provides detailed, time-stamped allegations but remains unproven in court
- Alienation-of-affection cases are rare and often hard to win
- The outcome will hinge on whether Heather can show Sinema’s conduct-not other marital strains-ended the relationship
- A victory could embolden similar suits in the handful of states that still allow them
