Kyrsten Sinema Sued Over Alleged Affair With Married Bodyguard

Former Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema is the subject of a federal lawsuit filed in North Carolina that accuses her of engaging in an extramarital relationship with her then-bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, and of interfering in his 14‑year marriage.

Kyrsten Sinema drew the ire of many prominent Democrats while she was serving in the Senate. / Rod Lamkey - Pool via CNP/Getty

Lawsuit Details

The complaint, filed by Heather Ammel, alleges that Sinema, 49, exchanged intimate messages with Matthew Ammel on the encrypted app Signal, including photos and sexually charged texts. The suit also claims she suggested he bring MDMA on a work trip so she could "guide him through a psychedelic experience," paid for psychedelic treatments, and lavished him with gifts and trips.

Sinema left her political post in early 2025. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag

Allegations About The Relationship And Employment

According to the filing, roughly a year after Matthew joined Sinema's security detail, the head of her security team left and warned him that Sinema "was having sexual relations with other security members." Heather Ammel asserts that Matthew, who served in the U.S. Army, has struggled with mental‑health challenges and that Sinema exploited his vulnerability, at times promising to "help him" through those struggles.

Sinema was the first openly bisexual Senate member. / Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

The complaint says Sinema later offered Matthew a paid position in her Senate office as a Defense and National Security fellow, a role in which he served as her subordinate. Heather alleges these actions contributed to the breakdown of her marriage and has sued under North Carolina's alienation‑of‑affection statute, which allows a spouse to seek damages from a third party accused of maliciously interfering in a marriage.

Reported Evidence And Consequences

Heather says she discovered numerous sexually explicit Signal messages between Matthew and Sinema, and she cites payments, trips (including international travel and a Taylor Swift concert), gifts such as a Theragun, and coverage of other expenses. Reporters say Matthew filed for divorce earlier this month.

Responses And Context

The Daily Beast reported the lawsuit and said it contacted Sinema's representatives for comment; the outlet also reported Matthew Ammel could not be reached for comment. The complaint's allegations remain unproven in court.

Background

During her Senate tenure, Sinema was known as a centrist Democrat who often worked across party lines and drew criticism from some on the left. She announced in March 2024 that she would not seek re‑election and later joined the law firm Hogan Lovells as a political adviser. The lawsuit and surrounding details have become a new flashpoint in her post‑Senate public life.

Note: The account above summarizes allegations in a legal filing. Allegations in a complaint are not evidence of guilt and have not been adjudicated.