Sinema acknowledges relationship with married security guard while fighting ‘homewrecker’ suit

PHOENIX — Former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema admitted for the first time Thursday that she had a romantic relationship with Matthew Ammel, a married bodyguard who worked on her Senate security detail.

She made the admission while asking the judge to dismiss the “alienation of affection” lawsuit filed by the bodyguard’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel.

“Defendant and Mr. Ammel began a romantic relationship in May 2024,” states the 23-page memorandum filed by Sinema’s attorneys. That affair began in Sonoma, California, with additional trysts in New York City, Washington, Aspen and Phoenix.

Sinema argues that since none of the physical encounters took place in North Carolina, the court has no jurisdiction over the case.

The history of a ‘homewrecker’ lawsuit

Heather Ammel sued Sinema in September 2025, alleging the former Arizona senator seduced her husband while he worked on her security detail, destroying their marriage. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that still recognizes alienation of affection, colloquially known as “homewrecker” lawsuits, as a cause for civil action.

Sinema’s motion to dismiss argues the court lacks jurisdiction because she “did not purposefully direct any conduct into North Carolina” and was in the state only once during the affair, for a campaign event in Charlotte.

Central to Sinema’s defense is the argument that Matthew Ammel was rarely at his North Carolina home.

Sinema’s attorneys argue that any communications she had with Matthew Ammel while he happened to be in North Carolina were “random and fortuitous, not deliberate or intentional.”

The memorandum contends the Ammels’ marriage was already over before Sinema sent the only romantic message that reached Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina, a Signal message in mid-October 2024, after he had already found a new apartment.

That message, according to court filings, read: “I miss you. Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon.”

Sinema’s attorneys argue that one communication did not give rise to the suit being argued in a North Carolina court.

Sinema’s 12-year political career in Congress

Sinema represented Arizona in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019 and in the U.S. Senate from 2019 to 2025. She did not seek reelection in 2024.

After retiring from the U.S. Army in 2022, Matthew Ammel began working as a security guard for companies that provided security details for Sinema’s public events. In June 2024, he was hired by the U.S. Senate as a W-2 employee to provide security services on governmental trips.

Sinema is represented by North Carolina attorney Steven Epstein.

The next filing deadline in the homewrecker case is April 2.

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