Former Sen. Sinema Sued for Alienation of Affection

Former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema faces a lawsuit in North Carolina accusing her of interfering in a marriage through an alleged romantic relationship with a member of her security detail. The suit, filed by Heather Ammel against Sinema, seeks at least $75,000 in damages under the state's alienation of affection statute, which permits claims against a third party for contributing to a marital breakdown.

Heather Ammel alleges that she and her husband, Matthew Ammel, shared a stable and affectionate marriage until Sinema pursued him despite knowing he was married. Matthew Ammel, a retired U.S. Army veteran with deployments in Afghanistan and the Middle East, joined Sinema's Senate security team in April 2022 after medically retiring from the military. He suffered from posttraumatic stress, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injuries related to his service, according to the court filing.

The lawsuit claims Matthew accompanied Sinema on various trips, including to Napa Valley, California; Las Vegas; and Saudi Arabia, as well as concerts featuring artists such as Green Day, Taylor Swift, and U2. In January 2024, Heather Ammel discovered romantic and explicit messages exchanged...