Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema Sued in North Carolina Over Alleged Affair With Aide
Former U.S. senator Kyrsten Sinema is facing a civil lawsuit in North Carolina that accuses her of deliberately interfering in a 14-year marriage through an alleged romantic and sexual relationship with a married member of her security and Senate staff. The lawsuit, filed Jan. 15 in Moore County, North Carolina, was brought by Heather Ammel, the ex-wife of Matthew Ammel, a former Sinema security aide and later Senate staffer. The complaint seeks damages under the state’s rarely used but still legal “alienation of affection” statute. Only a handful of states, ncluding North Carolina, still allow such claims.
The Core Allegation
According to the complaint, Sinema began a personal relationship with Matthew Ammel after he joined her security detail in April 2022. Ammel later became a salaried member of her Senate staff as a defense and national security fellow. Heather Ammel alleges that Sinema’s conduct went far beyond a professional relationship and directly caused the collapse of her marriage.
“Sinema’s messages exceeded the bounds of a normal working relationship and were of romantic and lascivious natures,” the lawsuit states.
The complaint describes explicit text exchanges, alleged physical contact at public events, and repeated actions that Ammel claims undermined her marriage and family life.
Explicit Messages and Alleged Drug Requests
Among the most serious claims: that Sinema allegedly encouraged or participated in sexually explicit communications with her aide and asked him to transport MDMA, also known as ecstasy or molly, during a work trip so she could guide him through a psychedelic experience. MDMA is illegal under federal law. While it has been studied in therapeutic settings, the FDA declined to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD in 2024. One text exchange cited in the complaint includes Ammel describing a sexual scenario to Sinema, to which she allegedly replied:
“Boring!”
The lawsuit also claims Sinema paid for Ammel to receive psychedelic treatment, including an instance in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by travel to Napa Valley, California, where he was assigned to provide her security at a concert.
Power Dynamics and “Public Optics”
The complaint repeatedly emphasizes the power imbalance between a sitting U.S. senator and a subordinate employee. In mid-2024, Heather Ammel alleges her husband stopped wearing his wedding ring, telling her it would be better for “public optics” so it would not appear that Sinema was “putting her hands on a married man” at concerts and public appearances.
He told her he “didn’t know how to get out of the situation without offending” the senator, the lawsuit states.
The complaint further alleges Sinema purchased gifts for Ammel and later offered him a salaried Senate position in June 2024, shortly before he informed his wife he intended to leave her and filed for divorce.
Allegations of a Broader Pattern
The lawsuit also claims that Sinema’s head of security resigned in fall 2023 after expressing concerns that Sinema was having sexual relationships with members of her security team. According to the filing, the former security chief warned Matthew Ammel to leave the job as well. He allegedly declined due to the financial stability the position provided.
Damages and Legal Stakes
Heather Ammel says she and her ex-husband have three children and that she provided “a comfortable and loving home environment.” She claims Sinema’s actions directly destroyed her marriage and caused emotional and financial harm.
She is seeking:
Damages exceeding $25,000
Punitive damages
Payment of attorney’s fees
A jury trial
Alienation of affection claims require proof of a valid marriage, genuine love and affection, and intentional interference by a third party. While controversial, North Carolina courts have upheld such claims in past cases.
Sinema’s Response
As of publication, Sinema has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. According to The Hill, attempts to reach Sinema through Hogan Lovells, the law firm where she now works, were unsuccessful. The firm did not immediately respond to voicemail and email requests for comment.
Why This Matters
While alienation of affection suits are often dismissed as relics of another era, this case carries unique weight due to:
The alleged misuse of power and authority
Claims involving a sitting U.S. senator and subordinate staff
Allegations of drug use, ethics violations, and workplace misconduct
Potential scrutiny of Senate employment practices and security protocols
At minimum, the lawsuit raises serious questions about professional boundaries, ethics, and accountability for high-ranking public officials even after they leave office. Whether the claims are ultimately proven in court remains to be seen. But the filing itself places one of Washington’s most polarizing former senators back under an unwelcome spotlight.
