Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema is currently in a legal battle over allegations of an affair with her bodyguard, Matthew Ammel. A lawsuit has been brought against her, filed by Ammel’s ex-wife in North Carolina.
The lawsuit, which emerged in September 2025, claims that Sinema and Ammel began their romantic relationship in May 2024. This was just months before Ammel left his wife.
Sinema is seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed, arguing that the court in North Carolina has no authority over the matter, as their relationship took place outside the state.
According to legal filings, the majority of their communications happened while both were not in North Carolina. The only notable interaction in the state reportedly occurred after Ammel had already separated from his spouse.
The complaint details a trip to Las Vegas in December 2023, during which Sinema allegedly invited Ammel under the pretense of security for a U2 concert. Ammel’s wife was present on this trip, and the complaint claims that it set the stage for an evolving relationship.
After this trip, the ex-wife purportedly discovered more frequent communications between Sinema and Ammel using the encrypted messaging app Signal. These messages allegedly indicated a relationship that crossed professional boundaries.
The filings also describe instances where Sinema reportedly instructed Ammel to bring illegal substances on work trips for personal experiences.
Other allegations include behaviors considered inappropriate during various outings, such as the Innings Festival and travel to California events. Reports suggest their time together included attending a Taylor Swift concert and visiting Napa Valley.
The legal action seeks damages under North Carolina’s “alienation of affection” statute, allowing spouses to pursue third parties for allegedly damaging their marriage. The ex-wife is also requesting punitive damages.
Sinema and Ammel are said to still be involved in a romantic relationship. Initially, Ammel was compensated through campaign funds, but by mid-2024, he was officially on the Senate payroll.
Following her tumultuous term, Sinema left Congress after the 2024 election, choosing to transition into a lobbying role at Hogan Lovells, where she advocates for various causes, including drug research funding.
