Former US Senator Kyrsten Sinema faces a lawsuit alleging she seduced a staffer’s husband and wrecked his 14-year marriage. Plaintiff Heather Ammel filed the complaint in September in North Carolina state court. Sinema’s attorney moved it to federal court this week. Sinema did not respond to comment requests.
The suit claims romantic Signal messages, suggestive photos, and offers to guide him through hallucinogenic drugs like MDMA on work trips. It alleges sexual encounters, hotel invites, gifts, and a job offer as her personal security guard.
Sinema’s political background
Social worker and lawyer Kyrsten Sinema served Arizona in the House from 2013-2019 before Senate election. She became the first openly bisexual and Arizona’s first female Senator.
Green Party activist early on, she backed Ralph Nader in 2000. As Democrat, she acted as centrist: opposed filibuster changes derailing voting rights, blocked $15 minimum wage, and sided with GOP against Biden’s student loans.
Republicans praised her bipartisanship. Mitch McConnell called her a “genuine moderate.” Lisa Murkowski lauded her in TIME100 for the 2021 infrastructure bill.
Democrats criticised her. She left the party in 2022 as independent, retired in 2024, and joined Hogan Lovells as advisor. She now pushes psychedelic medicine research, talking with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Timeline of allegations
Matthew Ammel joined Sinema’s security in April 2022. In fall 2023, her security head warned him of her relations with staff and urged him to quit – he stayed for pay.
January 2024: Heather found towel photo and MDMA trip suggestion on Signal.
March 2024: At an event, Sinema got “handsy,” held his hand – he felt trapped.
June 2024: Sinema offered him salaried role as guard and fellow. Confronted, he admitted affair and sought divorce. They separated post-November trip. Both appeared together at October forum.
Alienation of affections claim
Heather seeks $75,000 under North Carolina’s “homewrecker law.” It requires marriage, lost affection, defendant’s wrongful acts, and causal link.
One of six states allowing it (with Hawaii, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Dakota, Utah). Critics say it treats spouses as property; Utah may abolish it.
Source: Time
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