Former US Senator Faces Legal Battle Over Alleged Romantic Involvement
Kyrsten Sinema, the former United States senator from Arizona, now confronts a serious legal challenge. Heather Ammel, the ex-wife of one of Sinema's security team members, has filed a lawsuit against the politician. She seeks a minimum of seventy-five thousand dollars in damages. The core allegation claims Sinema had a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, which ultimately destroyed his marriage.
Details of the Alleged Relationship Emerge
Heather Ammel's legal filing paints a picture of a previously strong marriage. She describes it as a "good and loving" union filled with genuine affection. This changed, she asserts, when Senator Sinema entered the picture. The lawsuit accuses Sinema of knowingly pursuing Matthew Ammel despite his marital status. It claims she seduced him, leading to the breakdown of his family life.
According to the Associated Press, Matthew Ammel joined Sinema's security detail after retiring from the Army in 2022. His role involved extensive travel with the senator. They visited locations like Napa Valley in California, Las Vegas, and even Saudi Arabia. The professional relationship allegedly turned personal.
Discovery and Escalation of the Affair
The situation came to a head in early 2024. Heather Ammel discovered explicit messages between her husband and the senator on the Signal messaging app. She describes these exchanges as "romantic and lascivious." By that summer, Matthew had stopped wearing his wedding ring.
The lawsuit further alleges Sinema provided Matthew Ammel with a new position. She appointed him as a national security fellow in her Senate office. Remarkably, he continued his duties as a bodyguard for her political campaign during this period. This dual role forms a key part of the legal complaint.
Additional Claims and Lack of Response
The legal documents include another startling claim. They state Sinema paid for psychedelic treatment for Matthew Ammel. He reportedly struggles with post-traumatic stress, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injuries. These issues stem from his military service in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Sinema and her legal representative have chosen not to comment. They did not respond to multiple requests from the Associated Press for a statement on the allegations.
Legal Proceedings and Background on Sinema
This lawsuit was initially filed quietly in Moore County, North Carolina, late last year. It exploded into the global spotlight this week after being transferred to a federal court. The case has attracted widespread media attention and public scrutiny.
Kyrsten Sinema, born in July 1976, is a former social worker, lawyer, and politician. She served as a US senator from Arizona from 2019 until 2025. She began her political career as a Democrat but famously switched to become an independent in December 2022. During her time in the closely divided Senate, she acted as a crucial swing vote.
Sinema announced she would not seek reelection in March 2024. Democrat Ruben Gallego later succeeded her. Since leaving office, she has pursued roles in the private sector. In January 2025, she joined Coinbase's Global Advisory Council to advocate for cryptocurrency. Two months later, she became a senior advisor at the lobbying firm Hogan Lovells.
Her post-Senate work also includes founding the AI Infrastructure Coalition, where she serves as co-chair. In October 2025, she unsuccessfully lobbied a Phoenix suburb to approve an AI data center project. During this effort, she disclosed her alignment with the Trump administration's approach to AI infrastructure development.
