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Raleigh, North Carolina – January 17, 2026 — Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), who left Congress in January 2025 after opting not to seek reelection, is now the defendant in a high-profile civil lawsuit alleging she engaged in an extramarital affair that led to the dissolution of a 14-year marriage. The complaint, filed by Heather Ammel of Moore County, North Carolina, accuses Sinema of "intentional and malicious interference" in her marriage to Matthew Ammel, a retired U.S. Army veteran who served as part of Sinema's Senate security detail starting in April 2022.
The lawsuit, initially filed in Moore County Superior Court in September 2025, gained widespread national attention this week after Sinema's attorneys successfully petitioned to have the case removed to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Under North Carolina's rare "alienation of affection" statute—one of only a handful still active in the United States (alongside states like Hawaii, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah)—a third party can be held civilly liable for "wrongful and malicious conduct" that disrupts a marriage, potentially resulting in compensatory and punitive damages.
Heather Ammel, a stay-at-home mother during much of the marriage, is seeking at least $25,000 in compensatory damages and an additional amount in punitive damages, with some reports citing totals up to $75,000. The complaint describes the Ammels' union, which began in October 2010 and produced three children, as initially "good and loving" with "genuine love and affection." It alleges that Sinema, fully aware of Matthew Ammel's marital status, began pursuing a romantic and sexual relationship with him on or before 2023.
Matthew Ammel, who retired from the Army after multiple deployments to Afghanistan and the Middle East, reportedly struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance abuse issues, and traumatic brain injuries. After his military service, he worked briefly for a firearms training company before joining Sinema's security team. The lawsuit claims he accompanied the senator on numerous official and personal trips, including to Napa Valley, California; Las Vegas; Saudi Arabia; and other locations. The pair allegedly attended high-profile concerts together, such as performances by Green Day, Taylor Swift, and U2 (including one in Cindy McCain's suite where they reportedly shared Dom Perignon champagne).
According to the filing, Heather Ammel first discovered evidence of the relationship in January 2024 through "romantic and lascivious" messages exchanged via the encrypted Signal app. These allegedly included explicit content, such as a photo of Sinema "wrapped in a towel" and discussions about sexual positions—one where Sinema reportedly dismissed missionary style with lights on as "boring!" The suit further claims Sinema provided lavish perks, including purchasing a Theragun massager, funding psychedelic therapy (such as ibogaine treatment) to address Ammel's mental health challenges, and encouraging him to obtain MDMA for a guided psychedelic experience during a work trip.
By summer 2024, Matthew Ammel allegedly stopped wearing his wedding ring. Sinema then offered him a salaried position as a national security fellow in her Senate office—while he continued bodyguard duties for her campaign—ostensibly for "public optics" to avoid appearances of impropriety at public events. The complaint includes an October 2024 message from Sinema stating, “I miss you. Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon.” Heather Ammel reportedly confronted Sinema directly via message, asking if she was having an affair and accusing her of taking a married man from his family.
The alleged relationship culminated in separation after a November 2024 work trip to Saudi Arabia, with Matthew Ammel moving out of the family home. Divorce proceedings followed, marked by contentious disputes over assets, custody, and parental fitness, as both parties have accused each other of instability in court filings.
The lawsuit portrays Sinema's actions as a pattern of seduction involving gifts, travel, financial support, and emotional manipulation, ultimately destroying the marriage and causing Heather Ammel severe emotional distress, financial hardship, humiliation, and loss of companionship. It emphasizes her role as a "dutiful spouse and mother" who supported her husband through his deployments and health struggles.
Sinema, who switched from Democrat to independent in 2022 and was known for her centrist positions that often frustrated party leaders (including blocking key progressive legislation), has not publicly commented on the allegations. Her representatives have not responded to media inquiries, though the move to federal court suggests a strategy to potentially challenge jurisdiction or the applicability of state tort law in a federal forum. Matthew Ammel, now residing in Arizona and reportedly continuing to work in related fields (including public appearances with Sinema on psychedelic advocacy), also faces no direct claims in the suit.
Alienation of affection claims, often dubbed "homewrecker" laws, are controversial and increasingly rare, with critics arguing they are outdated and prone to abuse. Most U.S. states abolished them decades ago, viewing them as inconsistent with modern family law principles. In North Carolina, such cases frequently settle out of court, though notable precedents have resulted in multimillion-dollar awards.
The case has reignited scrutiny of Sinema's post-Senate life. After leaving office, she joined the law and lobbying firm Hogan Lovells, serves on Coinbase's Global Advisory Council, works as a professor at Arizona State University, and advocates for psychedelic research—areas where Matthew Ammel has also been involved, including testifying alongside her in Arizona legislative hearings on therapy funding.
As proceedings move forward in federal court, the lawsuit serves as a stark reminder of the personal and professional intersections that can arise in high-stakes political environments. Neither Sinema nor the Ammels have indicated plans for public statements beyond the court documents, leaving the full merits to be tested through litigation.
This developing story has drawn coverage from major outlets including The New York Times, The Guardian, CBS News, and local North Carolina media, highlighting the unusual blend of political scandal, rare tort law, and personal drama.
