Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a lawsuit in North Carolina under its “homewrecker” law. A federal judge recently ruled that the state has jurisdiction over the allegations implicating her in breaking up a marriage. The accusation involves having an affair with a woman’s husband during Sinema’s tenure as a senator.
Sinema admitted to a relationship with Matthew Ammel, a member of her security detail. She argued against the lawsuit in North Carolina by claiming no significant ties to the state. However, U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon dismissed her arguments. He noted that Sinema was aware of Ammel’s residency in North Carolina with his wife Heather and their three children. The judge highlighted that Heather Ammel discovered the affair through messages Sinema sent to Matthew while he was in North Carolina. These communications were deemed sufficient for the lawsuit to continue in the state.
Sinema was found to be furthering a romantic relationship
according to the ruling. Judge Bragdon stated that evidence showed she was invading
the marriage during trips with Ammel and when he was home. Sinema and Ammel purportedly sent nine messages to each other while he was in North Carolina, which contributed to the legal proceedings moving forward.
In her complaint, Heather Ammel seeks damages from Sinema. She claims Sinema disrupted her good and loving marriage
with Ammel. North Carolina permits claims of alienation-of-affection, allowing spouses to demand compensation from third parties they believe caused their marriage to end.
Sinema’s legal representatives Steven Epstein and Abigail Jenkins did not provide comments on the matter. The events leading to the lawsuit include Matthew Ammel joining Sinema’s security detail in 2022, after his military retirement. He then started traveling nationally and internationally with her.
Sinema disclosed in July that her first sexual encounter with Ammel occurred around Memorial Day 2024 during a stay at an Airbnb in Napa, California. According to court documents, the Ammels separated on November 1, 2024, and finalized their divorce in March 2026.
Though Sinema admitted to sexual encounters in various locations, including New York, Washington, Colorado, and Arizona, she asserted that none took place in North Carolina.