Kyrsten Sinema Acknowledges Affair with Bodyguard Amid Legal Battle
Affair Confirmation
Kyrsten Sinema, the former US Senator, has officially admitted in court documents to having an affair with her bodyguard, Matthew Ammel. This revelation indicates that their relationship began approximately five months prior to Ammel's separation from his spouse. The acknowledgment was made in a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Ammel's estranged wife, Heather Ammel, in North Carolina. Instead of disputing the affair, Sinema's legal approach focuses on the argument that the events in question did not occur in North Carolina, thus the state should not be involved in the lawsuit.
Details of the Relationship
The Timeline
Sinema's court documents reveal that her romantic involvement with Matthew Ammel began in late May 2024, with their first encounter occurring on May 27 in Sonoma, California. Their relationship reportedly continued over the following months in various locations, including New York City, Washington DC, Aspen, and Phoenix, but notably excluded North Carolina, according to Sinema.
Legal Implications
Why the Location Matters
The significance of location is central to Sinema's legal argument. Her motion to dismiss is based on the assertion that North Carolina courts do not have jurisdiction over her since she and Ammel did not engage in any physical relationship within the state. According to the principle of personal jurisdiction, a state must have a substantial connection to a defendant's actions to bring them to court. Sinema's argument essentially states that while the relationship was genuine, it never occurred in North Carolina, warranting the dismissal of the lawsuit.
Allegations in the Lawsuit
The Towel Photo Allegation
Heather Ammel's lawsuit also includes a claim that Sinema sent romantic messages to Matthew while he was in North Carolina, including a photo of herself in a towel. If this allegation is proven true, it could potentially grant North Carolina jurisdiction over Sinema, regardless of where their physical relationship took place. Sinema, however, denies sending such a photo and argues that even if she had, she was unaware of Ammel's location at the time, which would still negate the state's jurisdiction.
Current Status of the Lawsuit
The Lawsuit
Heather Ammel initiated the lawsuit against Sinema in September 2025. North Carolina is one of the few states in the US that recognizes the legal claim of "alienation of affection," allowing a spouse to sue a third party for interfering in their marriage. This legal framework forms the basis of Heather's case. The key question now is whether the North Carolina court will agree with Sinema's assertion that it lacks jurisdiction to hear the case.