Who is Kyrsten Sinema? Former Arizona senator sued for having affair with ex-bodyguard

Kyrsten Sinema, a former U.S. senator from Arizona, is encountering a lawsuit filed by the ex-wife of one of her former security personnel, asserting a romantic relationship between Sinema and the man resulted in the termination of his marriage. The ex-wife, Heather Ammel, is seeking a minimum of $75,000 in damages.

Matthew and Heather Ammel had “a good and loving marriage” with “genuine love and affection” before Sinema intervened, pursuing Matthew Ammel despite realizing he was married, Heather Ammel alleges in her lawsuit.

What is the timeline of the alleged events?

As per the complaint, the Arizona lawmaker’s head of security hired Matthew Ammel following his retirement from the Army in 2022. The lawsuit asserts that he accompanied Sinema on trips to places which includes Napa Valley, California; Las Vegas; and Saudi Arabia.


In early 2024, Ammel’s wife found “romantic and lascivious” texts he had exchanged with Sinema over the Signal messaging app. That summer, Matthew Ammel allegedly stopped wearing his wedding ring. Sinema reportedly provided him a position as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he remained to serve as her campaign bodyguard.

The lawsuit further states that Sinema paid for psychedelic treatment for Ammel, who has been confronted with post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injuries associated to his military deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

Additional Allegations

Heather Ammel’s filing includes many allegations in regard to Matthew Ammel’s conduct during the affair with the former Arizona senator. One main striking assertion is that Sinema asked Ammel to procure the psychedelic drug, MDMA, planning to “guide him through a psychedelic experience,” among other claims.

What is the current legal status of the lawsuit?

The lawsuit was filed in Moore County, North Carolina, late previous year. Sinema has petitioned that the case be transferred from state court to federal court. North Carolina is among the few U.S. states that permit former spouses to pursue damages under the “alienation of affection” law, which allows a spouse to hold a third party accountable for the breakup of a marriage.

FAQs:

Q1. Who is Kyrsten Sinema?
Kyrsten Sinema is a former U.S. senator from Arizona. She served one term in the Senate and then became an independent lawmaker.

Q2. Who is Matthew Ammel?
Matthew Ammel is a retired Army veteran and former bodyguard of Kyrsten Sinema. He was married to Heather Ammel before the reported affair.