Kyrsten Sinema Looking to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Affair With Bodyguard
Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is asking a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the ex-wife of her former bodyguard after acknowledging that she had a romantic and sexual relationship with him while he was married.
Heather Ammel sued the former Arizona senator under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” law, alleging that Sinema’s relationship with Matthew Ammel contributed to the destruction of the couple’s 14-year marriage.
Sinema, who left the Senate in January 2025 after serving one term, admitted during a July 31 deposition that she knew Ammel was married and had three children when their relationship began.
Heather Ammel is seeking at least $75,000 in damages. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19.
Sinema Describes First Encounter
Sinema testified that she and Ammel first had sex around Memorial Day 2024 while staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California.
“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California. We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex,” Sinema said during the deposition at a Raleigh law office.
Sinema and Ammel were staying at the property alongside her friends Penny and Grant Croissant and another member of her security team.
The former senator’s testimony indicates that the relationship continued over the following months and included encounters during several trips.
Relationship Continued Across Multiple Cities
In June 2024, Sinema traveled to New York City to attend the wedding of CNN anchor Jessica Dean.
Although Sinema and Ammel maintained separate hotel rooms, she testified that they were intimate in her room during the trip.
The pair allegedly had another encounter in mid-July at Sinema’s Washington apartment after returning from the West Coast on an overnight flight.
In August, Sinema and Ammel traveled to Aspen, Colorado, for what the former senator described as a fundraising trip. She acknowledged that they again became intimate.
Sinema said she could not remember a purported encounter in Washington in late September. Ammel reportedly confirmed during his own deposition that it occurred.
Court filings state that the relationship continued into October, when the two had sex at Sinema’s Phoenix residence.
Former Senator Knew Bodyguard Was Married
Sinema acknowledged under oath that she knew Ammel had a wife and three children during the affair.
That admission could prove important to Heather Ammel’s claim that Sinema wrongfully interfered in the marriage.
Under North Carolina’s alienation-of-affection law, a plaintiff may seek damages against a third party accused of engaging in conduct that contributed to the loss of affection within a marriage. The plaintiff must still prove the legal elements of the claim, including questions involving the marriage, causation and the law’s geographic reach.
Sinema’s attorneys argue that the case should be dismissed because the alleged conduct did not occur in North Carolina.
The deposition describes encounters in California, New York, Washington, Colorado and Arizona. The court must now determine whether North Carolina law can be applied under those circumstances.
Intimate Messages Presented During Deposition
Attorneys also questioned Sinema about photographs and messages she sent to Ammel.
One photograph reportedly showed Sinema wrapped in a towel with marks from cupping therapy.
“I’m an endurance athlete. So a photograph of me with cupping marks is about sports,” Sinema responded.
She testified that she could not recall sending Ammel that specific image.
Another message attributed to Sinema said: “Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you.”
An attorney asked whether Sinema understood why a wife might become concerned after discovering such a message on her husband’s phone.
“Yes,” Sinema answered.
Ex-Wife Describes Discovering Relationship
Heather Ammel also testified during a deposition.
She said she uncovered the relationship after her husband returned “severely intoxicated” while the couple was staying at her parents’ home.
Heather then discovered messages on his phone, including one purportedly sent by Sinema.
“I hope your day was okay. Thinking of you. I am with you. I keep waking up during my sleep and reaching over for your arms to hold me,” the message said.
The communications, combined with Sinema’s admissions, establish that a relationship existed. The remaining legal dispute concerns whether Heather can hold Sinema financially liable under North Carolina law.
Hearing Scheduled for Aug. 19
Sinema is unmarried and has not held elected office since leaving the Senate.
She was elected as a Democrat but changed her registration to independent while in office following repeated disputes with her party over major legislation and Senate procedure. She ultimately declined to seek another term.
Her one-term Senate career was marked by intense controversy. Now, a year after leaving Washington, details of her private relationship with a married member of her security detail have placed her back in the public spotlight.
The Aug. 19 hearing could determine whether Heather Ammel’s lawsuit moves forward or is dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
The allegations remain subject to litigation, and Sinema disputes that North Carolina law applies. She has nevertheless acknowledged the central underlying fact: She maintained a sexual relationship with a man she knew was married and had three children.