A federal judge has ruled that former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina’s alienation of affection law over her relationship with a member of her security detail. U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon found that nine text messages Sinema sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina established jurisdiction in the state, rejecting her argument that she had no connection to the state.
The lawsuit, filed by Ammel’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, seeks financial damages from Sinema, who represented Arizona in the U.S. House and Senate before leaving office early last year. North Carolina is one of a handful of states that permit spouses to sue third parties for alienation of affection, alleging interference in a marriage.
Judge Bragdon’s Ruling
Judge Bragdon dismissed Sinema’s claim that she lacked ties to North Carolina, stating it was implausible that she was unaware of Ammel’s whereabouts when she sent the messages. The judge did not rule on the merits of the lawsuit itself but permitted the case to proceed in North Carolina courts.
Sinema’s attorney, Steven Epstein, did not respond to requests for comment. The lawsuit alleges that Sinema pursued Ammel despite knowing he was married, leading to the breakdown of his marriage. Heather Ammel’s complaint describes the couple’s relationship as "good and loving" before Sinema’s involvement.
Background of the Case
Matthew Ammel joined Sinema’s security team after retiring from the Army in 2022, accompanying her on domestic and foreign travel. According to the lawsuit, Heather Ammel discovered romantic messages exchanged between her husband and Sinema via the Signal app in early 2024. The complaint further alleges that Ammel stopped wearing his wedding ring around that time and that Sinema later hired him as a national security fellow in her Senate office while he continued working as her bodyguard.
Sinema acknowledged the romantic relationship in a deposition in July, describing the encounters in her testimony. The lawsuit seeks unspecified financial compensation for damages resulting from the alleged interference in the Ammels’ marriage.
Legal and Political Context
North Carolina’s alienation of affection law allows spouses to sue for emotional and financial harm caused by a third party’s involvement in a marriage. Only a few states, including Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, and Utah, still recognize such claims. Critics argue these laws are outdated and intrusive, while supporters contend they provide recourse for wronged spouses.
Sinema, an independent who previously served as a Democrat, represented Arizona in Congress from 2013 to 2025. Her Senate term ended early last year after she announced she would not seek re-election. The lawsuit does not allege any criminal wrongdoing but focuses solely on civil damages.
Next Steps
The case will now proceed in North Carolina courts, where Heather Ammel’s legal team will seek to prove that Sinema’s actions directly caused the breakdown of her marriage. Legal experts note that alienation of affection cases are rare and often difficult to win, requiring evidence of intentional interference and measurable damages.
Sinema has not publicly addressed the lawsuit beyond acknowledging the relationship in her deposition. The outcome of the case could set a precedent for how such claims are adjudicated in states with similar laws.