Matthew Ammel, 39, the former bodyguard and ex-lover of former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, was arrested after authorities say he caused more than $200,000 in damage at her Cave Creek, Arizona, home. Investigators allege Ammel threatened to damage paintings unless Sinema posted a video on X, then removed and dumped over 20 artworks—about $123,000 in value—into her pool. Deputies found submerged paintings when they responded on Sept. 3; Ammel faces a criminal damage charge and was released on electronic monitoring after a combative court episode. The incident compounds ongoing legal fallout from a separate lawsuit filed by Ammel's ex-wife, which a federal judge recently allowed to proceed.
Ex-Bodyguard Arrested After Alleged $200K Vandalism at Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Home
Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) speaks during a news conference on the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 29, 2022. REUTERS/Sarah Silbiger
Matthew Ammel, 39, the former bodyguard and one-time romantic partner of former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, has been arrested after authorities say he caused more than $200,000 in damage at Sinema's Cave Creek, Arizona, residence.
Matthew Ammel (checked shirt) and Kyrsten Sinema (polka dot top) at an Arizona Legislature hearing in 2025. / ACTV screenshot
Allegations and Evidence
According to court documents cited by local outlets, investigators say Ammel threatened to "damage her paintings every 10 minutes" unless Sinema posted a video on X. When she refused, prosecutors allege, he removed more than 20 works of art—appraised at roughly $123,000—and dumped them into the home's swimming pool. Deputies who responded to the property on Sept. 3 reportedly found several paintings still submerged and another canvas smeared with black spray paint (KPNX; Arizona Family).
Sinema left her political post in early 2025. / Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag
The complaint also alleges Ammel smashed high-end bottles of alcohol around the property and threw a bottle at a large wall mirror. Authorities estimate the total destruction on the property exceeded $200,000.
Matthew Ammel was taken into custody last week. / Mugshot / Maricopa County Sheriff's Office
Arrest, Court Appearance and Monitoring
Sinema provided investigators with messages, audio recordings and surveillance footage that police say show Ammel damaging the home. He was taken into custody last week and is charged with criminal damage. At his initial court appearance, deputies reported problems bringing him into the courtroom, with an officer telling the hearing, "They're saying that he's combative and he's in the hallway." Ammel was later released without bond and placed on electronic monitoring.
Background And Related Litigation
The arrest follows months of public scrutiny after Ammel's ex-wife, Heather, sued Sinema following the end of her 14-year marriage. As previously reported by The Daily Beast, Heather Ammel accused the former senator of knowingly pursuing her then-married husband. Sinema has disputed Heather Ammel's account but acknowledged in a deposition that she and Matthew Ammel—who was married at the time—began a sexual relationship in May 2024, including encounters while traveling, such as a trip to New York for CNN anchor Jessica Dean's wedding.
This month a federal judge allowed Heather Ammel's lawsuit to proceed, rejecting Sinema's attempt to dismiss the North Carolina suit on jurisdictional grounds. The Daily Beast and other outlets have sought comment from Sinema; Ammel could not be reached at the time of reporting.
What We Know
Allegations are based on court filings and statements from law enforcement and have not been proven in court. The reporting cites local news outlets and The Daily Beast for details about the lawsuit and deposition.
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