Overview
- Plaintiff Heather Ammel alleges former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema pursued a romantic relationship with her husband, security staffer Matthew Ammel, causing the dissolution of the couple’s 14-year marriage.
- Originally filed in North Carolina state court in September 2025, the case was moved this week to the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and has been referred to mediation.
- The complaint cites encrypted messages described as romantic and sexual, a photo of Sinema in a towel, encouragement to use MDMA for a guided “psychedelic experience,” gifts, and trips including Napa Valley, Las Vegas, and Saudi Arabia.
- It further alleges Sinema placed Ammel on her Senate staff while he served as her bodyguard and paid for travel, concerts, and other expenses, raising questions in the filing about potential misuse of official or campaign funds.
- Media reports note damages sought are described as either more than $25,000 or at least $75,000, Sinema and her attorney have not commented, and court records show Matthew Ammel filed for divorce last week.