This is one outlet's own report from Newsweek — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
Ex-Senator Kyrsten Sinema Details Affair With Bodyguard
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Former Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema has detailed her relationship with a former member of her security detail in court filings related to an "alienation of affection" lawsuit brought by her former bodyguard's ex-wife.
The lawsuit, filed by Heather Ammel last year, accuses Sinema of interfering in and contributing to the breakup of her 14-year marriage to Matthew Ammel. The case was brought under North Carolina 's rare legal statute that allows a deserted spouse to seek damages from a third party for the destruction of a marital relationship.
In deposition testimony and court documents that was first reported by The Arizona Republic , Sinema acknowledged that her professional relationship with Matthew Ammel evolved into a romantic and sexual relationship beginning in 2024, while she was still serving in the Senate. The filings outline encounters and communication across multiple states, including California , Arizona, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The Associated Press reported in January that Heather Ammel is seeking at least $75,000 from the former senator.
The case has drawn significant attention because of Sinema's high political profile. A former Democrat who later became an independent, Sinema represented Arizona in the Senate from 2019 until early 2025 and was one of the chamber's most prominent moderates.
Newsweek reached out to attorneys representing both Ammel and Sinema by email Saturday.
According to a July 31 deposition testimony and court filings, Sinema described a romantic and sexual relationship with Matthew that began in May 2024. Court records, cited by Fox News, showed that the Ammels separated on November 1, 2024, and their divorce was finalized in March 2026.
The former senator acknowledged that the relationship became "romantic and intimate" and involved extensive communication through phone calls, emails and encrypted messaging apps while she was serving in Congress.
“We were staying at an Airbnb in Napa, California. We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex,” Sinema said, according to a deposition transcript, The Arizona Republic reported.
During the deposition, Sinema was asked about text messages she sent to Matthew, including a picture of her in a towel. The newspaper reported that the former senator said it was “about sports” because she is an athlete and the photo was of her cupping marks.
The court filings show Sinema did not dispute having a relationship with Ammel despite knowing he was married but instead argued that the relationship took place outside North Carolina where the lawsuit was filed.
The testimony is expected to remain a key piece of evidence as the court considers whether the case can move forward.
U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon will now review the additional filings before deciding whether the case can proceed in North Carolina or whether Sinema's motion to dismiss should be granted.
If the judge allows the lawsuit to move forward, the case would proceed toward further discovery and potentially a trial on Heather Ammel's alienation-of-affection claims.
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Steve Mollman and Anthony Murray .
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.
