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In a bombshell development that’s rocking Washington and beyond, former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) faces a civil lawsuit accusing her of intentionally interfering in — and ultimately destroying — the 14-year marriage of one of her former security detail members.
The suit, filed by Heather Ammel, the ex-wife of Matthew Ammel, seeks at least $25,000 (with some reports citing up to $75,000) in damages under North Carolina’s rare “alienation of affection” law, which allows a spouse to sue a third party for maliciously causing the loss of love and companionship in a marriage.The allegations, detailed in court filings originally submitted in Moore County, N.C., in late 2025 and recently moved to federal court at Sinema’s request, paint a picture of a relationship that allegedly began professionally but escalated into romantic and sexual encounters.
Heather Ammel claims her marriage to Matthew — an Army veteran and father of three who struggled with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and substance abuse from deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East — was “good and loving” until Sinema’s involvement.
Key Allegations in the Lawsuit
- Matthew Ammel joined Sinema’s Senate security detail in April 2022 after retiring from the Army.
- The relationship allegedly turned personal in late 2023, with “romantic and lascivious” messages exchanged via the encrypted app Signal, including a photo of Sinema wrapped in a towel and discussions of sexual positions (e.g., Sinema reportedly calling missionary sex “boring”).
- Sinema is accused of encouraging Matthew to bring MDMA (ecstasy) on work trips so she could “guide him through a psychedelic experience,” and later paying for separate psychedelic treatments framed as therapeutic.
- Gifts, lavish trips (including to Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia), and concert tickets (U2, Taylor Swift, Green Day) were allegedly used to entice him.
- In June 2024, Sinema reportedly offered Matthew a salaried Senate staff position as a defense and national security fellow while he continued security duties — a move the suit claims improved “public optics” to avoid appearances of impropriety.
- Matthew stopped wearing his wedding ring, and the couple divorced in November 2024, with Heather alleging direct causation from Sinema’s actions.
The complaint emphasizes Sinema’s awareness of Matthew’s marital status and vulnerabilities, describing her conduct as “intentional, calculated, relentless,” and showing “complete disregard” for the family.
Background on the Parties
Kyrsten Sinema, who served one term in the Senate (2019–2025) as a Democrat-turned-independent known for her maverick style and key swing votes, did not seek reelection in 2024.
She now works as an attorney and lobbyist at the firm Hogan Lovells, focusing on areas like cryptocurrency and psychedelic research funding. Sinema and her legal team have not publicly commented on the suit, with requests for response going unanswered by major outlets.Matthew Ammel is a U.S.
Army veteran who transitioned to private security after service. He accompanied Sinema on official and personal trips, and the suit notes concerns raised by a former head of security about alleged relationships with other team members.Heather Ammel, the plaintiff, alleges emotional distress, financial hardship, and the loss of her family’s stability, seeking to hold Sinema accountable for what she describes as willful interference.
Legal Context: Alienation of Affection
North Carolina is one of only a handful of U.S. states that still recognize “alienation of affection” claims, a tort rooted in older family law traditions. Proving such cases requires evidence of intentional interference, a loving marriage prior to the involvement, and causation of the breakdown — a high bar often reliant on messages, witnesses, and timelines.
The suit’s move to federal court may address jurisdictional or diversity issues.This case has sparked widespread discussion online, with reactions ranging from shock at the personal details to debates over power dynamics in professional relationships involving subordinates. It adds a dramatic personal chapter to Sinema’s post-Senate life, far removed from her legislative legacy.As the lawsuit proceeds, it underscores rare but persistent intersections of politics, personal conduct, and civil liability.
Neither Sinema nor Matthew Ammel has filed a public response yet, but the story continues to trend as details emerge. Stay tuned for developments in this unfolding controversy.
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