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Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema disclosed in federal court testimony that she engaged in repeated sexual relations with her then-married security guard during her tenure representing Arizona. The Democrat-turned-independent left office in January 2024, and the details emerged through court filings related to a lawsuit filed by the security guard’s ex-wife, Heather Ammel, in North Carolina.
Heather Ammel pursued the case under North Carolina’s alienation-of-affection statute, claiming the relationship destroyed her 14-year marriage to Matthew Ammel. After Sinema’s legal team transferred the case to federal court, they requested dismissal on jurisdictional grounds, contending the relationship occurred outside North Carolina and that federal courts lacked authority over the former senator.
During a July 31 deposition in Raleigh, Sinema testified that her first sexual encounter with Ammel occurred around Memorial Day 2024 at an Airbnb in Napa, California. She described the incident in detail, explaining that Ammel initiated contact while they were outside the property before the two moved indoors, with friends Penny and Grant Croissant and another security team member present at the location.
Sinema acknowledged additional encounters in June during CNN anchor Jessica Dean’s wedding in New York City, mid-July at her Washington apartment following a red-eye flight, and mid-August during a fundraising trip to Aspen, Colorado. She testified that the sexual relationship extended into October 2024 at her Phoenix residence.
Throughout her deposition, Sinema confirmed knowledge that Ammel was married with three children at the time of each encounter. She acknowledged text messages to Ammel expressing affection, including one stating, “Putting my hand on your heart. I’ll see you soon. I miss you.”
Heather Ammel’s testimony revealed she discovered the affair when her husband returned home intoxicated while staying at her parents’ residence. She described reading messages from Sinema on his phone stating, “I hope your day was okay. Thinking of you. I am with you. I keep waking up during my sleep and reaching over for your arms to hold me.”
The Ammels separated November 1, 2024, and finalized their divorce in March 2026. An evidentiary hearing in the case against Sinema is scheduled for August 19, according to court documents.
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