Ex-US senator Sinema admits affair with married bodyguard

Former US senator Kyrsten Sinema has disclosed an affair with a married bodyguard, Matthew Ammel, in a court deposition given on 31 July. The deposition is part of a lawsuit filed by Heather Ammel, Matthew's former wife, in the US District Court in North Carolina. Heather accuses Sinema of contributing to the breakdown of her 14-year marriage.

Sinema said the relationship began with a kiss and sex at an Airbnb during Memorial Day weekend in 2024. They next met at the New York wedding of CNN anchor Jessica Dean in June 2024. Sinema also described meetings in Arizona and Aspen, Colorado. She said Ammel had told her months earlier that he wanted a divorce and had accused his wife of hitting him.

Sinema's lawyers have moved to dismiss the case, arguing North Carolina lacks jurisdiction as the relationship did not occur there. The filings also mention a Taylor Swift concert in Miami in October 2024, where Heather Ammel had messaged Sinema about the affair but Sinema did not respond.