By Our Reporter
A former United States senator, Kyrsten Sinema, is facing a lawsuit filed by the estranged wife of a former member of her security detail, after a judge ruled that the case could proceed under North Carolina’s controversial “alienation of affection” law.
Sinema, who represented Arizona in the US House of Representatives and later served one term in the Senate, has acknowledged having a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, a former member of her security team.
However, she had argued that she could not be sued in North Carolina because she had no sufficient connection to the state.
US District Judge David A. Bragdon rejected the argument, ruling that the court had jurisdiction after determining that Sinema sent nine text messages to Ammel while he was in North Carolina.
The judge reportedly found it implausible that Sinema was unaware of Ammel’s location when she communicated with him.
The lawsuit was filed by Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, who is seeking financial damages from the former senator.
North Carolina is among a small number of US states where the law allows a spouse to sue a third party for allegedly interfering in a marriage and causing its breakdown. Such cases are commonly referred to as “alienation of affection” lawsuits.
According to Heather Ammel’s complaint, she and Matthew had a “good and loving marriage” before Sinema allegedly interfered in the relationship.
She alleges that Sinema pursued her husband despite knowing that he was married.
Matthew Ammel joined Sinema’s security team after retiring from the US Army in 2022 and reportedly accompanied her on domestic and international trips.
Heather said she discovered what she described as romantic messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema through the Signal messaging platform in early 2024.
The lawsuit further alleges that Ammel stopped wearing his wedding ring later that year and was subsequently appointed as a national security fellow in Sinema’s Senate office, while continuing to work for her campaign as a bodyguard.
Sinema’s lawyer, Steven Epstein, had not immediately responded to requests for comment at the time of the report.
The case has generated debate over the unusual North Carolina law, which permits a spouse to seek financial compensation from a third party accused of deliberately contributing to the collapse of a marriage.
The lawsuit, however, remains an allegation, and the court’s ruling on jurisdiction does not amount to a finding that Sinema is liable for the breakdown of the marriage.