Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has been accused of "grooming" her former bodyguard and boyfriend, Matthew Ammel, by his ex-wife, Heather Ammel, who is suing Sinema for allegedly destroying her marriage. The allegations were made during a federal court hearing on Wednesday concerning Heather Ammel's "homewrecker" lawsuit, in which she seeks tens of thousands of dollars from the ex-senator.
Heather Ammel testified that Sinema began to "groom" her husband shortly after he retired from the U.S. Army in 2022 and joined the senator's security detail. She stated that Sinema claimed they shared a "special mental connection" and asked Matthew Ammel "deep, psychoanalytical questions" during a solo trip to Napa in 2023. These advances reportedly made Matthew Ammel uncomfortable enough to ask Sinema not to travel with him alone again.
Heather Ammel told the court that she felt "completely powerless" as Sinema observed her testimony, noting the perceived power imbalance. "It was me against a sitting senator with power, and money... she had her hooks in him," she stated.
During her own testimony, Sinema asserted that she was unaware of "alienation of affection" laws, the legal basis for Heather Ammel's lawsuit, until 2025, and had to search for them online after the complaint was filed. Sinema described the timeline of her relationship with Matthew Ammel, claiming it began in May 2024 during a Napa Valley trip when he initiated sexual contact. She characterized it as a "one-off" at the time. The two have reportedly continued a sexual relationship since then and remain together.
The lawsuit comes as the ex-senator faces civil claims for allegedly "maliciously" and intentionally destroying a marriage of over a decade. Heather Ammel described attempts to reconcile with her husband, including a trip to Austin in April 2025 that ultimately did not occur. She testified that she and Matthew had renewed vows to spend more time together after attending a U2 concert with both Sinema and her husband.
Both Heather Ammel and Sinema maintained composure throughout the hearing, which focused on Sinema's motion to dismiss the lawsuit. The judge indicated a ruling on the motion would be made soon. Matthew Ammel, a Special Forces veteran, was reportedly battling depression during the period in question.
