US News
Judge allows alienation of affection lawsuit against Kyrsten Sinema to proceed
A federal judge ruled North Carolina holds jurisdiction in a lawsuit alleging the former senator disrupted a marriage.
The short version
- A federal judge ruled former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can face an alienation of affection lawsuit in North Carolina regarding her relationship with a security team member.[ABC News]
- Judge David A. Bragdon rejected Sinema's jurisdictional challenge, finding that nine text messages sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina established jurisdiction.[ABC News]
- Heather Ammel's lawsuit seeks financial damages, alleging Sinema knowingly interfered in her marriage before the couple separated in November 2024.[ABC News]
- Sinema previously acknowledged the romantic relationship turned sexual in May 2024 across multiple states, though never in North Carolina.[ABC News]
Key facts
- U.S. District Judge David A. Bragdon ruled that former U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema can be sued under North Carolina's alienation of affection law.[ABC News]
- The judge found that nine text messages Sinema sent to Matthew Ammel while he was in North Carolina established state jurisdiction.[ABC News]
- Heather Ammel's lawsuit seeks financial damages, alleging Sinema pursued Matthew Ammel despite knowing he was married.[ABC News]
- Sinema testified that her relationship with Ammel became sexual on May 27, 2024, in California and continued in other states, but never in North Carolina.[ABC News]
- Matthew and Heather Ammel separated on November 1, 2024.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The eventual outcome of the civil lawsuit and any potential financial damages remain undetermined.[ABC News]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.