Court documents reveal testimony from former Senator Kyrsten Sinema regarding her relationship with a married security guard amidst a civil lawsuit.
Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema, who represented Arizona, has been named in a civil lawsuit involving allegations of alienation of affection. The legal action was initiated s to the senator. The case, which highlights private conduct occurring during Sinema’s time in office, was originally filed in a North Carolina court before being moved to the federal level. Sinema’s defense team has challenged the jurisdiction of the court, arguing that the alleged events did not take place within North Carolina.
The lawsuit centers on the claim that Sinema’s interpersonal relationship with Matthew Ammel contributed to the dissolution of his 14-year marriage. Under North Carolina law, alienation of affection allows individuals to sue a third party if they believe that person intentionally caused the breakdown of a marital union. As the case proceeds toward an evidentiary hearing, court transcripts have provided significant public detail regarding the nature of the interactions between the former senator and her security detail member.
In a July 2024 deposition conducted in Raleigh, Sinema provided sworn testimony regarding her relationship with Matthew Ammel. She acknowledged a series of intimate encounters that occurred across several locations, including Napa, California; New York City; Washington, D.C.; Aspen, Colorado; and Phoenix, Arizona. Sinema confirmed under oath that she was aware of Ammel’s marital status and the fact that he was a father of three during the time these meetings occurred.
The timeline of these interactions spanned several months throughout 2024. Sinema detailed specific instances, such as a trip for a wedding in New York and a fundraising excursion to Colorado, where the two shared private time. While Sinema could not recall every specific instance mentioned nal relationship that persisted while she held her position in the Senate.
The court filings include various forms of digital communication, including text messages exchanged between Sinema and Matthew Ammel. During the deposition, attorneys questioned the former senator about the nature of these messages, which included expressions of missing one another and physical displays of affection. The legal counsel for Heather Ammel argued that such communications would be distressing to a spouse, a point Sinema acknowledged during her testimony.
Additionally, Heather Ammel provided her own account of how the relationship was discovered. She testified that she became aware of the situation after her husband returned home in an intoxicated state and she subsequently accessed messages on his phone. Among the evidence presented was a message in which Sinema purportedly expressed a desire for comfort from Ammel during the night. Heather Ammel has characterized the situation as a deliberate disruption of her family, while also noting her view that her former husband played a manipulative role in the events.
The litigation has moved through various stages of the judicial process, with Sinema’s legal representatives seeking to have the case dismissed based on jurisdictional arguments. Because the alleged conduct occurred outside of North Carolina, the defense maintains that the federal court lacks the necessary authority to adjudicate the claims under the state's specific laws. This jurisdictional challenge remains a key focal point for the court as it prepares for future proceedings.
Matthew and Heather Ammel finalized their divorce in March 2026, following their separation in late 2024. As the legal battle continues, the court is scheduled to conduct an evidentiary hearing to further examine the claims brought forth igures can intersect with civil litigation, particularly when statutes regarding marital interference are invoked in federal court environments.