Ex-Senator Sinema Faces Grooming Accusations from Ex-Bodyguard's Wife

Ex-Senator Kyrsten Sinema faces fresh accusations of grooming her former bodyguard into a destructive affair while he struggled with depression. Heather Ammel, Matthew's ex-wife, appeared in federal court Wednesday to share her side of this high-stakes homewrecker lawsuit. She claims the retired Special Forces vet was vulnerable when Sinema first approached him after he left the Army in 2022.

Matthew joined Sinema's security detail seeking purpose and steady income for his family. Heather testified that the dynamic shifted quickly within months. Sinema allegedly told Matthew they shared a special mental connection during a solo trip to Napa in 2023. She reportedly asked deep, psychoanalytical questions while alone with him.

Heather described feeling completely powerless as Sinema watched intently just feet away. The former senator's advances made Matthew uncomfortable enough that he asked her to stop traveling alone with him. Months later, Heather attended a U2 concert with both of them in an effort to set clearer boundaries. We left the concert on cloud nine, she recalled describing renewed vows between herself and Matthew to spend more time together.

Sinema acknowledged they continued seeing each other sexually for months after their initial encounter. She dismissed that first meeting as a one-off incident when speaking to her lawyer. I'm not like that, she told counsel while admitting the relationship continues to this date. Both women remained outwardly composed during hours of testimony before the judge vowed to rule soon on Sinema's motion to dismiss the case.

Heather said Sinema seized upon Matthew at a vulnerable moment and used her power and money against him. She felt me against a sitting senator with power, and money... she had her hooks in him, Heather told the court. The lawsuit seeks tens of thousands of dollars claiming malicious destruction of a decade-long marriage.

Sinema claimed she was unaware that alienation of affection laws existed before 2025. She said she had to go home and Google it after the complaint was filed. This legal strategy forms the basis of Heather's suit against the ex-senator. The court adjourned Wednesday with the judge promising a decision on whether the case can proceed.