Who is Matthew Ammel? Ex-Senator Kyrsten Sinema accused of having affair with former bodyguard

Ex-Sen. Kyrsten Sinema faces a lawsuit alleging an affair with ex-bodyguard Matthew Ammel, as his wife seeks damages for alienation of affection.

Updated on: Jan 16, 2026, 02:29:13 IST

By Shamik Banerjee

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Kyrsten Sinema, former Arizona Senator, is accused of having an affair with an ex-bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, by Ammel's wife, Heather in a lawsuit filed at a federal court in North Carolina. The lawsuit reportedly accuses Sinema of seducing Ammel to pursue a romantic relationship with him.

Former U.S. Senator from Arizona Kyrsten Sinema. (Getty Images via AFP)

North Carolina-based news outlet, The Assembly, reported the news first, noting that Heather Ammel is seeking damages from Sinema for alienation of affection over the alleged affair with Matthew Ammel.

She makes several allegations against Sinema, including alleged details of what Mattew Ammel did during the course of their alleged affair with the former Arizona Senator. It also includes the shocking allegation that Sinema asked Ammel to procure the psychedelic drug, MDMA, and wanted to “guide him through a psychedelic experience,” among others.

The details of the alleged affair have turned attention to Matthew Ammel. Who is he? Who is his wife, Heather Ammel? Let's discuss.

What We Know About Matthew And Heather Ammel

The Assembly reported that Matthew and Heather Ammel filed for divorce in the first week of January. The reason for the divorce is not known, but there is speculation that it is linked to the alleged affair with Kyrsten Sinema.

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In the lawsuit against Sinema, Heather Ammel says that Matthew Ammel is an US Army veteran who suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in service. He was deployed in the Middle East, the report notes.

The Ammels got married in 2010. Matthew Ammel got a job on the security detail of Kyrsten Sinema in 2022. Heather Ammel, meanwhile, was a stay-at-home mother. The details on their children is unclear.

In the lawsuit, Heather Ammel alleges that Sinema, who has been an openly LGBTQ politician, may also have had "sexual relations with other security members.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shamik Banerjee
Shamik is a journalist covering the United States for Hindustan Times. He has more than four years of experience reporting on US politics, sports, and major breaking stories across fast-moving cycles. He previously worked at Times Now and Sportskeeda, building strong newsroom instincts and digital storytelling skills. At HT.com, he focuses on day-to-day coverage of US political developments while also handling high-impact stories that demand speed, accuracy, clarity, and context under pressure. Shamik has extensive experience covering NFL game days over the past two years, coordinating live updates, analysis, and explainers. He is particularly drawn to large news moments such as US elections and the Super Bowl, where he thrives at the news desk working alongside the team. He holds degrees in Media Studies from Jamia Millia Islamia and English Literature from Jadavpur University. Before entering journalism, he briefly worked in digital marketing and political consultancy roles. Currently a Senior Content Producer at HT Digital, he is driven by curiosity, discipline, and a constant desire to explore new and obscure topics. Outside work, he enjoys reading, films, sports, and learning continuously.Read More

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