Sinema Confirms Romantic Relationship with Security Guard in Legal Filing
Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema has formally acknowledged a romantic and intimate relationship with a member of her security detail, according to legal documents filed in a federal court case. The admission comes as she seeks to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the man's ex-wife, who blames Sinema for the breakdown of her marriage and is seeking financial damages.
Details of the Alleged Affair and Legal Battle
In a signed declaration dated March 7, 2026, Sinema stated that her relationship with Matthew Ammel "became romantic and intimate" at the end of May 2024 and turned "physically intimate" over the following months. The encounters reportedly occurred in multiple locations, including California, New York, Colorado, Arizona, and Washington, D.C. The Ammels separated in November 2024, as noted in the lawsuit.
Heather Ammel, the ex-wife, contends in her lawsuit that she and Matthew had "a good and loving marriage" with "genuine love and affection" before Sinema interfered. She alleges that Sinema pursued Matthew despite knowing he was married, leading to the marriage's dissolution.
North Carolina's Alienation of Affection Law
The lawsuit is based on North Carolina's "alienation of affection" law, which allows jilted spouses to sue third parties they believe are responsible for the breakup of their marriage. This rare legal provision is one of only a handful still active in the United States, making the case particularly notable.
Sinema's lawyer, Steven Epstein, argues that the lawsuit should be dismissed, claiming that Sinema's conduct does not meaningfully connect her to North Carolina. In a filing on Thursday, Epstein wrote that no jury would believe a single message sent by Sinema to Matthew while he was in North Carolina "had any bearing on the destruction of marital love and affection." He emphasized that the message was sent after Matthew had already found a new place to live and "when the marriage was already over."
Background and Allegations
According to the lawsuit, Matthew Ammel was hired by Sinema's head of security after retiring from the Army in 2022. In early 2024, Heather Ammel discovered messages on the Signal messaging app between Sinema and her husband that were of "romantic and lascivious natures." The lawsuit further alleges that later that summer, Matthew stopped wearing his wedding ring, and Sinema gave him a job on her Senate staff while he continued to work as her bodyguard.
The case was initially filed in North Carolina state court late last year but was moved to federal court in January 2026. Sinema, who represented Arizona in the U.S. House and later served one term in the Senate until early last year, declined to seek reelection in 2024 after leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent. She now works for a Washington-based legal and lobbying firm.
Sinema's declaration also rejects allegations that she made phone calls and sent internet communications to Matthew with knowledge that he was physically present in North Carolina, sometimes with his wife and children. The legal battle continues as both sides present their arguments in court.
