A civil lawsuit has been filed in North Carolina against Kyrsten Sinema, the former U.S. Senator from Arizona, by Heather Ammel. The lawsuit alleges that Sinema engaged in an extramarital affair with Heather Ammel's husband, Matthew Ammel, which led to the breakdown of their 14-year marriage. The suit seeks damages exceeding $25,000 under North Carolina's 'alienation of affection' law, allowing spouses to sue third parties for interfering in their marriage.

According to the complaint, the alleged affair began in 2022 after Matthew Ammel was hired as Sinema’s personal security detail. Heather Ammel claims to have discovered the relationship through messages exchanged on the encrypted messaging app Signal, which reportedly contained explicit content. The lawsuit also alleges that Sinema misused campaign funds to cover expenses related to the affair, including international travel and luxury entertainment, with specific mentions of trips to Europe, Boston, and attendance at high-profile events.

Legal expert Tom Ryan noted that if the allegations regarding the misuse of funds are substantiated, Sinema could face significant legal challenges beyond the current lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that Sinema offered Matthew Ammel a salaried position on her Senate staff, suggesting potential misuse of public resources.

Matthew Ammel has filed for divorce, and the lawsuit indicates that he and Sinema are still involved in a romantic relationship. Sinema has not publicly responded to the allegations.

The lawsuit has drawn attention to the outdated legal doctrine of alienation of affection, which is still recognized in North Carolina, where approximately 200 cases are filed annually. Critics argue that this doctrine reflects antiquated views of marriage and personal relationships.

In a related incident, during a policy summit in Salt Lake City on January 16, 2026, featuring Sinema and Utah Governor Spencer Cox, two men disrupted the event by claiming to have had affairs with Sinema. These interruptions occurred shortly after the lawsuit was filed, highlighting the ongoing scrutiny surrounding her personal life. Sinema later described the current political climate as one of "disruption," suggesting that traditional norms are being challenged, which can have both positive and negative implications for society.

Sinema, who left Congress after the 2024 election and has since joined the law firm Hogan Lovells, has been involved in advocacy for data center development and research funding for psychedelic treatments, including ibogaine. The allegations against her raise important questions about the intersection of personal conduct and professional ethics, particularly for individuals in positions of power.