Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema testified in federal court that she had a sexual relationship with her then-married security guard, Matthew Ammel, while serving in office. The testimony is part of a lawsuit filed by Ammel's ex-wife, Heather Ammel, who claims Sinema's actions contributed to the breakdown of her 14-year marriage.
Heather Ammel's lawsuit, filed under North Carolina's alienation-of-affection law, was moved to federal court by Sinema's legal team, which is seeking to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds. During her deposition, Sinema stated that her first sexual encounter with Ammel occurred around Memorial Day 2024 while they were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California.
Sinema detailed several subsequent encounters, including at a wedding in New York City, her Washington, D.C. apartment, and during a trip to Aspen, Colorado. She acknowledged being aware that Ammel was married and had three children.
The deposition included discussions about personal messages exchanged between Sinema and Ammel, which Heather Ammel later described as concerning. Heather Ammel testified about discovering the affair and characterized Sinema as insidious for her role in the situation. The Ammels separated in November 2024, and their divorce was finalized in March 2026. An evidentiary hearing in the case against Sinema is scheduled for August 19.