Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is currently involved in a legal dispute concerning allegations made by the ex-wife of a member of her security detail. The lawsuit, filed in North Carolina federal court, claims that Sinema’s romantic involvement with Matthew Ammel played a role in the breakdown of his marriage to Heather Ammel.
### Details of the Allegations
In court filings, Heather Ammel argues that her marriage to Matthew was strong before Sinema intervened. She describes their relationship as characterized by “genuine love and affection” and alleges that Sinema pursued her husband knowingly, despite his marital status. The couple’s separation was initiated in November 2024, according to the lawsuit.
Kyrsten Sinema has admitted to having a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, stating in a signed declaration that their relationship became “romantic and intimate” around late May 2024, eventually becoming physically intimate in various locations, including California and Washington, D.C. This declaration was filed earlier this week as part of Sinema’s response to the lawsuit.
### Legal Context and Claims
The lawsuit is particularly notable because North Carolina is among a limited number of states that permit claims for “alienation of affection.” This legal provision allows individuals to sue third parties accused of damaging their marriage. Heather Ammel is seeking financial compensation based on her assertion that Sinema’s involvement contributed to the collapse of her marital relationship.
Sinema’s attorney, Steven Epstein, has called for the dismissal of the lawsuit, arguing that her actions do not connect her to North Carolina in a significant way. He contends that the single communication Sinema made to Matthew Ammel could not reasonably be construed as a factor in the deterioration of the couple’s affection. Epstein asserted that no jury would find sufficient grounds to believe that the message affected the marriage’s stability.
### Employment and Relationship Timeline
The relationship between Sinema and Matthew Ammel reportedly began after he was hired by her head of security following his retirement from the Army in 2022. The lawsuit states that Heather Ammel discovered messages of a romantic nature exchanged between the two on the Signal messaging app in early 2024. Following this discovery, Matthew Ammel allegedly removed his wedding ring and accepted a job on Sinema’s Senate staff while also continuing his role as her bodyguard.
Sinema announced her decision not to seek reelection for her Senate seat in 2024 after her first term, during which time she switched from the Democratic Party to register as an independent. Currently, she is employed by a legal and lobbying firm based in Washington, D.C.
### Conclusion
As the case progresses through the federal court system, the implications of the lawsuit on Sinema’s personal and professional life remain to be seen. Meanwhile, the issues surrounding allegations of alienation of affection continue to generate public interest, particularly given Sinema’s status as a former lawmaker. The outcome of this legal dispute may set a precedent regarding the accountability of third parties in cases of marital breakdowns in states like North Carolina.
Source: Original Reporting
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