Key Facts

• Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema acknowledged having a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, a member of her security team.
• Sinema argued she cannot be sued in North Carolina because she has no connection to the state.
• A U.S. District Judge ruled that Sinema can be sued because she sent nine text messages to Ammel while he was in North Carolina.
• The lawsuit seeks money damages for “alienation of affection,” a legal claim where a spouse can sue a third party blamed for breaking up a marriage.
• Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, says their marriage was loving before Sinema interfered, knowing Ammel was married.
• Ammel joined Sinema’s security team after retiring from the Army in 2022 and traveled with her domestically and internationally.
• Messages between Ammel and Sinema were found on the Signal app, describing their relationship starting sexually in May 2024.
• Sinema says their sexual encounters did not happen in North Carolina, but the court found jurisdiction based on messages sent during Ammel’s presence there.