Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema appeared in federal court Wednesday to address allegations of an affair with a former bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, as his ex-wife seeks damages for alienation of affection. The case centers on a rare 19th-century law that allows a spouse to sue a third party for intentionally interfering with a marriage.
Heather Ammel, Matthew Ammel's ex-wife, filed the lawsuit in North Carolina, alleging that Sinema "intentionally" and "maliciously" destroyed her marriage. The legal proceedings are expected to involve testimony from all three individuals, either in person or via deposition, alongside other witnesses.
Court filings have revealed details of the alleged relationship. Heather Ammel testified to years of suspicion regarding her husband's interactions with his then-boss, Senator Sinema. She cited instances such as solo trips to Napa, a celebration in Colorado where the two were photographed together, and other "unsettling encounters" preceding the alleged affair.
In October 2024, Heather Ammel intercepted a message on her husband's phone from Sinema that read, "I miss you. Putting my hand on your heart. I'll see you soon. I miss you." This message reportedly led to her "complete panic mode" and "meltdown."
Sinema, in a deposition, stated that Matthew Ammel initiated romantic contact. She testified that he first kissed her in the backyard of an Airbnb in Napa, California, on Memorial Day Weekend 2024, after which they had sexual relations. Their alleged liaisons continued in multiple cities, including Washington D.C., Aspen, and Phoenix.
A key point of contention in the current court hearing is whether the alleged affair extended into North Carolina. Arguments are being presented to the federal judge regarding the location of certain communications between Sinema and Ammel, which will influence the judge's decision on Sinema's motion to dismiss the lawsuit and whether Heather Ammel can proceed with her claim.
If the case moves to trial, Heather Ammel could be awarded significant damages, as juries in North Carolina have historically been sympathetic in similar tortious interference cases, sometimes awarding millions in compensatory and punitive damages.