Sinema Testifies About Affair With Married Bodyguard in Lawsuit

In a federal court deposition, former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema provided detailed testimony about her sexual relationship with her married bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, as part of a legal battle initiated by his ex-wife. The lawsuit, filed in North Carolina, accuses Sinema of contributing to the breakdown of the Ammels' 14-year marriage.

The central event in the deposition, which took place on July 31, was Sinema's account of the affair's beginning. She testified that the relationship started in late May 2024 during a stay at an Airbnb in Napa, California. According to the court filings, Sinema stated, "We were outside. Matt kissed me. We went inside and had sex." She confirmed this was the first sexual encounter between them.

Heather Ammel filed the lawsuit under North Carolina's alienation of affection law, which allows a spouse to sue a third party for damages if their conduct led to the dissolution of a marriage. Sinema has filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing that North Carolina courts lack jurisdiction because the alleged relationship did not occur within the state. Her attorneys contend the lawsuit should be thrown out on those grounds.