Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a lawsuit filed by Heather Ammel, the former wife of Sinema’s ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel. The case has returned to the spotlight after newly filed court documents detailed Sinema’s testimony about her relationship with Matthew.
Heather sued Sinema under North Carolina’s alienation of affection law, seeking more than $75,000 in damages. Sinema has acknowledged having a romantic and sexual relationship with Matthew but is fighting the lawsuit on jurisdictional grounds.
Who Is Heather Ammel And What Is Her Connection To Kyrsten Sinema?
Heather Ammel is the former wife of Matthew Ammel, who worked in private security and was part of Sinema’s security detail while she was serving as a senator.
Heather and Matthew were married for about 14 years and have three children. According to the lawsuit, their marriage broke down around the same period that Matthew became involved with Sinema. Heather ultimately filed the case against Sinema, accusing the former senator of intentionally interfering in her marriage.
Heather’s lawsuit relies on North Carolina’s unusual alienation of affection law, sometimes referred to as a “homewrecker law.” The statute allows a spouse to seek damages from a third party whom they allege intentionally interfered with their marriage. North Carolina is among the few US states where such claims remain legally available.
What Happened Between Kyrsten Sinema And Matthew Ammel?
Sinema has not denied that she had a relationship with Matthew. In her July 31, 2026 deposition, she described several encounters with him during 2024. According to court filings reported by PEOPLE, Sinema said their first sexual encounter happened around Memorial Day weekend at an Airbnb in Napa, California. She later described encounters in New York City, Washington, DC, Aspen and Phoenix. She also acknowledged that she knew Matthew was married and had three children during the relationship.
The deposition also brought attention to messages Sinema allegedly sent to Matthew. One message referenced missing him, while another was presented to her during questioning.
When asked whether she understood why Matthew’s wife could be concerned by one of the messages, Sinema reportedly answered, “Yes.”
Why Is Heather Ammel Suing Kyrsten Sinema?
Heather alleges that Sinema’s relationship with Matthew contributed to the collapse of their marriage. Her lawsuit argues that Sinema knowingly pursued a relationship with a married man and intentionally interfered with the couple’s marital relationship. Heather is seeking more than $75,000 in damages.
The case, however, is not simply about whether Sinema had an affair. A major legal question is whether North Carolina’s alienation-of-affection law can be applied to Sinema given her argument that the relationship took place outside the state.
Sinema’s attorneys have sought dismissal, arguing that the alleged relationship did not occur in North Carolina and therefore the court lacks the necessary jurisdiction. Heather’s legal team has challenged that argument.
What Did Kyrsten Sinema Say About The Affair?
Sinema has acknowledged the relationship while disputing the legal basis for Heather’s lawsuit. Her deposition provides a detailed account of when and where she says the relationship became sexual. She also said Matthew had previously told her that he intended to divorce Heather.
According to The Daily Beast’s account of the deposition, Sinema said Matthew had told her as early as January 2024 that he wanted a divorce and had described alleged problems in his marriage.
The Kyrsten Sinema Lawsuit
The legal battle is continuing, with an evidentiary hearing scheduled for August 19, 2026. The hearing could provide further clarity on the jurisdictional arguments and the evidence surrounding Heather’s claims.
