RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema is under legal scrutiny due to a lawsuit from the ex-wife of her security detail. The suit alleges that Sinema's intimate relationship with the man began while she served as a lawmaker and ultimately contributed to the breakdown of his marriage.
The litigation, proceeding in North Carolina, seeks financial damages based on the state's 'alienation of affection' laws, which allow spouses to hold third parties accountable for marital disputes. Heather Ammel, the plaintiff, claims that her once-happy marriage suffered a significant blow due to Sinema's actions, despite the senator's assertion that the affair was not the root cause of their relationship issues.
In her legal declaration, Sinema admitted that her relationship with Matthew Ammel became romantic in May 2024, following a period of emotional separation between the Ammels. She contends that their marriage was already in decline, as they separated in November of the same year.
Sinema's legal team argues that the claims are misplaced, insisting that her actions had no significant connection to North Carolina which would warrant a local lawsuit. They maintain that a single message sent to Matthew Ammel during a time when he was no longer living with his wife does not equate to culpability for the dissolution of his marriage.
The affair reportedly came to light when Heather discovered messages of a romantic nature exchanged between her husband and Sinema, leading to further personal complications.
This lawsuit comes in the wake of Sinema's decision not to seek reelection in 2024, following her notable shift from the Democratic Party to independent politics. She is currently aligned with a Washington legal and lobbying firm after completing a tumultuous term in the Senate.
