Judge allows lawsuit against ex-Sen. Sinema under North Carolina 'homewrecker' law

A federal judge has ruled that former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema can be sued in North Carolina under the state's "alienation of affection" law, rejecting her argument that she has no ties to the state.

U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon said nine text messages Sinema sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina were enough to establish jurisdiction. The judge found it implausible that Sinema was unaware of Ammel's location when she messaged him.

Sinema, who represented Arizona in the House and Senate, has acknowledged a romantic relationship with Ammel, a member of her security detail. The lawsuit was filed by Ammel's ex-wife, Heather Ammel, who alleges the affair destroyed their marriage.

North Carolina is among a handful of states that allow a spouse to sue a third party for damages for causing the breakdown of a marriage. Heather Ammel's complaint describes her marriage as "good and loving" before Sinema allegedly pursued her husband despite knowing he was married.

Matthew Ammel joined Sinema's security team in 2022 after retiring from the Army. In early 2024, Heather Ammel discovered romantic messages between her husband and Sinema on the Signal app. The lawsuit claims Ammel stopped wearing his wedding ring that summer and later took a job as a national security fellow in Sinema's Senate office.

During a July deposition, Sinema said the relationship became sexual on May 27, 2024, during a trip to Napa, California. She stated they had encounters in several states, but never in North Carolina. The Ammels separated on Nov. 1, 2024.

Sinema's lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.